PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: 1 Samuel 13-14
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“You have done a foolish thing,” Samuel said. (1 Samuel 13:13)
Saul seems to have let his power go to his head.
He takes the sacrifice into his own hands, when Samuel is late.
He puts anyone who eats during the battle under a curse.
He vows to kill even Jonathan, but does not follow through with it.
Saul uses his power to control others; Jonathan uses it to serve others.
Saul is motivated by himself, not by what is best for others.
Jonathan seems to be a better leader than his dad, even willing to die.
Saul is a reminder to us how reckless we can be as God’s leaders.
We assume we have special permission or protection, so we act foolishly.
As Jesus followers, we should not be arrogant or presumptuous.
“The one who rules like the one who serves.” (Luke 22:26)
We are not to impose on others, but offer ourselves to others.
We should not be known as a people who insist on our own rights.
All of us as leaders in some way… what kind of leaders are we?
PRAYER
Lord, show me where like Saul I am acting too full of myself, and not more full of You. Help me to stay humble, not cocky.
“But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command”
Saul slips up and takes charge when he should have waited for Samuel. His son Jonathan shows faith in looking for the Lord’s favor and is able to fight and win and in not realizing the vow Saul had imposed on the soldiers because he was absent – ate honey. Later the soldiers defend Jonathan and protect him from his Father’s oath. They bear testimony of God’s blessing on Jonathan: “But the men said to Saul, “Should Jonathan die—he who has brought about this great deliverance in Israel? Never! As surely as the Lord lives, not a hair of his head will fall to the ground, for he did this today with God’s help.” So the men rescued Jonathan, and he was not put to death.” I too must remember who is really in charge – whose will I should seek to follow! I get in the way at times like Saul! I repent of that!
Who is in charge?
All too often we think that we/I are/am the king of the castle. We can do anything. But can we? Whose power, whose wisdom do we rely on?
We are born to serve. Whom do we serve? Self or the Lord?
Whose day is it today. Mine or His?
Each day anew I am in His presence needing to do His will. He is the Potter and I the clay. I am moulded to serve my Master. He is in charge. Going after my own will will bring disaster as shown time and time again in His Word. I daily need to walk with my Lord – a Jesus follower.
When we walk with the Lord
In the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way;
While we do His good will,
He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Trust and obey,
For there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus,
But to trust and obey.