Scripture: 1 Samuel 12:16
16 Now therefore stand still and see this great thing that the Lord will do before your eyes.
Application: This was my verse of the year last year and it reminded me that in all things God is in control. Big chapters in my life were closing (such as Kaden finishing Grade 8 and Kiandra graduating from high school to name a few) and new chapters were beginning (Kezia getting her driver's license and both girls getting jobs to name a few) and this verse reminded me that even though I don't know what will happen next what I can take comfort in is that God will do great things before my eyes if I will only stand still and watch him.
As I read through the readings today, I think about Saul and his ordinary task that day of searching for lost donkeys. I am quite certain that he was not anticipating that on this errand that he would meet Samuel and be told that he---Saul-from the "lowly" tribe of Benjamin--- was whom God had chosen to be king. Saul stood still. He listened to all the things Samuel was telling him....unbelievable as they must have been...and he allowed Samuel (someone he just met) anoint him and give him specific instructions about where to go from there and he followed them. What if Saul had laughed at the absurdity of Samuel's words and just walked away from what could have appeared as the crazy ramblings of a stranger? What if he had doubted what Samuel had said? What if he had demanded proof? It says in verse 9 When he turned his back to leave Samuel, God gave him another heart. And all these signs came to pass that day. God gave him another heart. Even when people hated Saul and talked badly about him, his new heart didn't cause him to react badly. Verse 10:27 says 27 But some worthless fellows said, “How can this man save us?” And they despised him and brought him no present. But he held his peace.When we listen and stand still God can give us a new heart too and cause us to react in a way that we wouldn't react with God's help.
However, we are sinners. We will fall short. We will react in a way that is against what God would want us to do. When Samuel says 16 Now therefore stand still and see this great thing that the Lord will do before your eyes he wasn't talking about a "great" thing as in a positive thing. He was giving them a warning that God's wrath against them if they rebel and disobey Him. They had every reason to tremble in fear when Samuel called on God to send thunder and rain during the harvest. They had begged for a king instead of serving the King of Kings. They forgot the Lord again and again. They were in need of God's mercy and forgiveness....somethings never change from then to now.
Prayer: Lord, Thank you for putting up with our failures and offering the gift of salvation despite our sinfulness. Help us to remember that you alone are Holy and our ways are not Your ways. May we strive to stand still and to listen to your instructions/warnings and obey. Amen.
Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: 1 Samuel 13-14
1 comment:
I find it a bit sad reading this story with the benefit of hindsight. Saul started out with so much potential! He was humble and quick ro obey God and to give Him glory for the victory. If only he had continued in that direction! A good reminder for us that we cannot become complacent in our spiritual lives.
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