I was reading this verse last week, and then, in perfect "God-wink" fashion, my pastor talked about this in church this morning… so I figured God is trying to get my attention.
"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; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king." 1 Samuel 16:1
It's at this point God has rejected Saul (the people's choice) as king of Israel and is trying to move on to His own and rightful choice, David. Meanwhile, Samuel is stuck on mourning the fact things didn't work out with Saul. It made me start thinking…
How long?…
How long will I keep holding on to sin?
How long will I keep wishing that guy would have called?
How long will I keep hoping for things that God has clearly rejected?
I also became interested in why God would take the time to tell Samuel to "fill your horn with oil" before sending him to anoint David. What's so special about the horn? I looked through several Bible commentaries, and found out Saul was actually anointed with a vial, but a horn is more "durable" and "plentiful." Today my pastor said a horn represents "joy" and "anointing." While Samuel was wallowing in sadness, God was trying to get Samuel ready for the real blessing, real joy.
It's a good reminder that sometimes the things I try to hold on to, God himself is trying to tear apart. He wants to get me to the true blessing….
Yesterday, I got to meet with two of my fellow "racers." Jennie and Shannon. It was great to meet them and dish about advice we've heard about what/what not to bring. They also helped me pick out my sleeping bag 🙂 One thing we talked about was what we're the most nervous about. At one point, one of them hit the nail on the head: "I'm afraid of what God is going to show me" through this trip. I'm nervous about a few things, but one thing that stands out is this… I'm nervous about what I'm going to see and experience and how it will change me. I just know my heart will be broken in some ways and I don't know how things will be different when I get back.
Basically, I'm nervous and afraid of what God may show me on this trip. I'm afraid He'll show me something I need to do, but because I can't let go of something, I'll miss or hesitate to follow Him into His blessing.
Prayer Need: Pray that I will be ultra-sensitive to what God will try to show me during this entire process and that I will be brave enough to move on into the blessing He wants to show me.
