A few months ago, in a very timely manner, the Lord encouraged the direction in my life by giving me hope through 1 Samuel. I am so incredibly grateful for his continual encouragement and guidance. As we continue to follow the path He has so intentionally put together for us to serve Him well, we find His heart for the world…find our place in His plan…find abundant life…find joy in an eternal purpose…and find those that desperately need His hope and grace.
The key is to continue to believe the Lord knows what He is doing when things seem out of control. He still has control of the past, present, and future…
1 Samuel 16:1-13
*There is a time to move on!
The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way;
*Moving on is always scary.
2 But Samuel said, “How can I go? Saul will hear about it and kill me.”
*You overcome fear by being prepared to sacrifice.
The LORD said, “Take a heifer with you and say, “I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.”
*
If you trust God, He will show you what to do.
3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do.
*When you trust God people sense the power you possess.
4 Samuel did what the LORD said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him.
*With God what looks best isn’t always best.
6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed stands here before the LORD.” 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at.
*God gets charged by a pure heart.
Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.
*If you follow God’s plan, He will not leave you out.
11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the yougest, ” Jesse answered, “but he is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”
*Even heroes have to wait.
Then the LORD said, “rise and anoint him; he is the one.” 13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power. Samuel then went to Ramah.
*We don’t get ahead of God.
