A very human King

Every day we're reading or listening to part of the Bible together and sharing thoughts with you. Today it’s Liz Nixon:

What did I like about today’s passage?

I really like Samuel’s farewell speech. He reminds the people of the goodness of God, having delivered them from Egypt and other enemies since. He makes it clear that the people have done evil by rejecting God and insisting on a human king instead. But despite this, they can keep turning back to Him as God will not reject His people, the ones He chose and was pleased to make His own. Samuel encourages them that there is always hope with God.

I also like seeing Saul’s son Jonathan emerge as a viable candidate for being the next King – he is brave, son of the current king, asks God how he should move forward in battle and a good friend. And yet, God has his eye on a different man, a young boy called David. It’s a reminder that who I think is best for the job may not be who God has in mind!

What did it show me about Father God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit?

God does not like pride or arrogance! This theme comes up many times in the Bible, God hating the proud and favouring the humble. We see in chapter 15 v 22-24 that God doesn’t want religious, duty-bound offerings but He wants our obedience.

A talk in “The Gold” course discusses how humility is about coming into agreement with what God says, because what He says is not just opinion, it is truth. The speaker says that when he and God disagree, there’s never been a situation where God has come around to his way of thinking!

And this was why Saul’s heart turned away from God – he thought he knew better and that what he had done was the best way of doing things, arguing with Samuel and unable to accept he had disobeyed precise instructions from God. The consequences saw his family line lose the throne of Israel and his sons die in battle with him. Additionally, by failing to kill King Agag as directed, a descendant of Agag years later attempts the genocide of the Jewish people in the book of Esther.

It reminds me that it’s important I listen to His Spirit within me, who reminds me to stick close to my good, good Father. When I remember He is my Father and I am His child, I’m much more likely to walk in ways which please Him and less likely to do my own thing and disobey Him.

What am I going to do differently as a result?

Focus on renewing my mind – discovering whether it is in line with what God thinks or whether I’m deceiving myself. Reading His word more and getting His word into my heart will help!

It’s also important not to judge Saul too harshly – I wonder what I would have done in his situation.

Who am I going to share this with?

My family so they can hold me accountable for the way that I think about God.