GOD SPEAKS

After He had removed him, He raised up David to be their king, concerning whom He also testified and said, ‘I HAVE FOUND DAVID the son of Jesse, A MAN AFTER MY HEART, who will do all My will.’ Acts 13:22

God chooses some for His work. We must remember that what we have is only by His grace. If God has chosen you for a purpose, do not think that there is none greater than you. We must learn to keep what we have. In other words, we need to keep the great things that God has freely given to us.

There might be many reasons why we lose certain great things received from the Lord. Let us see the case of King Saul.

Saul was chosen by God to be a king to His people. But he did not do according to His will. When we work with Him, we need to know follow Him. We cannot make our own ways of doing His things. Just because you are chosen by God for His ministry or work, you can never take it for granted that whatever you do will be accepted by the Lord. God will never change His principles. There may be difference in doing the things, but His intention shall never change. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. HEBREWS 13:8.

Read this verse: Now he waited seven days, according to the appointed time set by Samuel, but Samuel did not come to Gilgal; and the people were scattering from him. ⁹ So Saul said, “Bring to me the burnt offering and the peace offerings.” And he offered the burnt offering. ¹⁰ As soon as he finished offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him and to ^[e]greet him. ¹¹ But Samuel said, “What have you done?” And Saul said, “Because I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the appointed days, and that the Philistines were assembling at Michmash, ¹² therefore I said, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not asked the favor of the Lord.’ So I forced myself and offered the burnt offering.” ¹³ Samuel said to Saul, “You have acted foolishly; you have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which He commanded you, for now the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. ¹⁴ But now your kingdom shall not endure.  The Lord has sought out for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has appointed him as ruler over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.” 1 SAMUEL 13:8-14.

There may be different reasons why Saul lost his kingdom:

1. He could not wait until Prophet Samuel Comes.
2. He offered sacrifice to the Lord which was supposed to be offered by His Servant Prophet Samuel.
3. The situation was getting worse. He saw every one scattering from him and Prophet Samuel did not come before the appointed time. Therefore, he was afraid. This fear forced Saul to make offerings.

Just see what happened to King Saul who was chosen by God Himself. Here, the word of God says that the King Saul had not kept the commandment of the Lord and therefore, he lost his kingdom. What is the commandment of God given to Saul here? It could be waiting for His prophet Samuel who would show some God’s plan in a difficult situation to come out of the problem. But He did not wait and did his own plan. Situation could be difficult but we need to rely on God always. Here, Saul was already instructed to wait for Prophet Samuel. This was a direction from the Lord to this King Saul. Whatever may be the situation in our life, try to do only God’s will. The situation forces us to do many our own inventions to escape from the difficulties. But these may not help us. Learn always to seek His help. Rely on Him always. Seek his guidance in all situations. Wait for Him though it seems meaningless to our mind. Our God is a God who never leaves a man who puts his trust in HIM. My soul waits in silence for God only; From Him is my salvation. PSALMS 62:1. If you wait for the Lord, you will see silence and peace in your life. The fear of situation is really making everyone to make their own decisions. These fears rule in many lives.

We could notice that why Saul did not wait for Prophet Samuel? Was it not the fear of his enemies? Why did he offer sacrifices? Was it not his intention if he does it, he may get the Help of the Lord? Thus, we may see that Saul as a general human being he did it. His intentions may be right. Had we been in the same situation, what would have we done? It tells only one thing. Though what appears right in your sight may not be right from the point of view of the Lord. We may have our own reasons why we have done certain things in our life. But the reasons may not be justifiable in the presence of the Lord. What is Right in the sight of the Lord is Right and what is wrong is wrong. Here, we need to understand that the fear of uncertainty and fear of situation makes us to do our own will in many times. This exists in all our lives. We need to balance and manage it. This is the main reason why many of us do our wills. Putting entire trust in the Lord is very difficult but at the same time it is easy. It is easy because you need not to do anything except praying and asking Him to lead your life.

Therefore, understand this:

(i) You may also a chosen person like King Saul. But always remember what happened to King Saul. This reminds us always as long as we do His will, we shall enjoy the privilege of being chosen from the Lord.

(ii) The fear of uncertainty and fear of situation does exist in all our lives. We could notice that it is this fear that made King Saul to disobey the commandment of the Lord. But He who manages them in prayer shall prevail till the end is a blessed one. It is because only those put their entire trust in the Lord can do this. Can you put your entire trust in your Lord Jesus in all kinds of situations and uncertainty?  Remember, when the Abraham came out of his father’s house and nation, he did not know where actually the Promised Land was. But he still believed it. We need such faith to witness and keep the great things from the Lord.

(iii) Never think that I am chosen by God and whatever I do shall be correct always. Our God does not show partiality. He has His own ways of doing things. God’s heart can be found in HIS WORD. Just follow it. He loves such people. This is the reason he chose DAVID to be the next king after King Saul. ‘I HAVE FOUND DAVID the son of Jesse, A MAN AFTER MY HEART, who will do all My will. ACTS 13:22. He expects this from us. He expects more from us if you are chosen for a purpose.