2009 – Day 99.Apr. 10 – Good Directions

2009 – Day 99.Apr. 10 – Good Directions

Passage of the Day: 1ST Samuel 16: 1 – 5 … 1 Now the LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go; I am sending you to Jesse the Bethlehemite. For I have provided Myself a king among his sons.” … 2 And Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears it, he will kill me.” But the LORD said, “Take a heifer with you, and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ 3 Then invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do; you shall anoint for Me the one I name to you.” 4 So Samuel did what the LORD said, and went to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, “Do you come peaceably?” 5 And he said, “Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons, and invited them to the sacrifice.

My Journal for Today: Hey, have you ever had trouble following God where He was leading you? Well, if so, you’re not alone. Reading today’s passage, so did Samuel; and who was he? Well, Samuel was only a Prophet of God, whom God selected to be His spokesperson. And Samuel was not a rookie in this business of prophesy either. He had seen God speak to the future of God’s people and what he would say, for God, would come about. Yet here he was in the scenario from today’s passage, hearing God’s word to take a message to Saul about the selection of the coming king; and what was Samuel’s immediate reaction? Yes, it was fear; and Samuel was so fearful, he even questioned God’s plan.

Have you ever been in a spot where you could see God’s will clearly; but you felt that such a direction was too difficult or maybe even that there was no way you could go where God was leading you? I don’t think that’s all that uncommon. Often people know God’s way or His commands from hearing or reading God’s word; and yet, in fear or selfishness they balk at carrying out God’s directive. Why? Well, fear or pride are usually the first line reasons; and lack of faith is almost always what causes even Godly leaders, like Samuel, to back away from God’s will or His way.

BUT (and note the big “BUT”), … for Samuel, we see God’s merciful and gracious response. Does God rebuke Samuel and say, “Common, Sam, get with the program; this is God speaking here!” No, God calmly understands Samuel’s fear; and gives him a plan to quell those fears. God recognizes when we’re afraid; and He’ll hear our questions when we have them. I think of Habakkuk, as I meditate here on Samuel’s dilemma. If you read the opening of the first chapter of the book of Habakkuk, you’ll see that he too was confused by what God was allowing to take place in the lives of God’s children. But like Samuel, God didn’t reject Habakkuk in his moment of quandary and fear. No, God gently gave Habakkuk the truth in a way that allowed God’s prophet to see how important it was for God’s man to move forward in faith and take His word to God’s people.

And we read in both scenarios God’s plan prevailed; and that’s what will always happen. God’s way will go forward whether you, in faith, are His method of doing things or someone else has to take the lead. God is God; and I am not. So, if I have trouble be God’s agent for truth, He is going to find a way to get His program done. It’s just sad when we, God’s children, don’t have enough faith to be the ones to faithfully work within His will to carry out His way in the world.

Do you see anything in the world where God is being ignored or rejected? Do you know of anyone in your life who, like Saul was to Samuel, is rejecting God or acting in a very unGodly manner? Well, if there’s nothing you can do about it, don’t worry about it; because God is still in control; and like God showed Habakkuk, He will take care of those who reject the Lord. But when, like Samuel, you are being called and can do something to move on God’s will, know, in faith, that God will never give you a command which you can’t carry out, … with His help.

That’s the message for Christians which I’ve taken deeply into my heart from 1st Cor. 10: 13, which states, No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. And that word “temptation” in the Greek, “peirasmos,” can also be translated “test, trial, or tribulation,” depending on the circumstances facing the believer. So, no matter what our trial may be, God’s going to be there for us.

Have you ever, like Samuel, faced a trial or test in life which was fearful because of what you’re called to do? Of course you have? And those are the moments when God comes along side, when you’re His faithful follower, with a way to move forward. Again, that’s the message of 1st Cor. 10: 13 or back into the Old Testament, from Isaiah 41: 10. Yes, when God calls, He is saying to us, “Don’t be afraid, I’ll carry you through this!” Or as Paul also wrote and I paraphrase from Phil. 4: 13 and 2nd Cor. 12: 9, which say to me in all situations, “Bill, you can do all things through Me, because I’ll give you My strength in your weakness.”

Oh, dear one, I hope you know and feel God’s truth when you are in a moment like the one confronted by Samuel from today’s story. I pray you’ve taken God’s word deeply into your heart so that you’re able to obey our God when you’re called to obedience as was Samuel. Because when you do act in faith and obedience, God will ALWAYS be there for you, lifting you up and guiding you to move forward for His glory. Always remember the truth of Phil. 4: 6-7 to take your fears or burdens to our God. He’s there; and He’ll listen; and He’ll give you His peace in the midst of your fears to carry you onward in His Name.

My Prayer for Today: Lord, when I know Your truth, help me to act on it. Amen