October 16, 2013 The Lord's Way

Read 1 Samuel 16

The Lord’s Way

1 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.” 2 But Samuel said, “How can I go? Saul will hear about it and kill me.” The Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.”

SAMUEL has two problems, and the Lord shows him the way past those problems.

     First, Samuel is mourning that God has rejected Saul. Samuel mourned for Saul because Saul had lost the blessing of a full and rich life rewarded to those who faithfully follow God’s ways. It’s time for Samuel to cease mourning and move on.

     That leads to Samuel’s second problem. He doesn’t trust God. This doesn’t make sense. After all, Samuel had lived a lifetime of trusting God’s authority and power.           But here he asks, “How can I go? Saul will hear about it and kill me.” Somehow this man of faith suddenly loses some of his faith. He has always obeyed God’s clear direction to the letter. Read further, too, and you’ll see how people are afraid of him! But now he’s not sure, and he’s afraid.

     In response, God does give him a way to approach Jesse in Bethlehem. God’s purpose is for Samuel to anoint David, and God has prepared the way for Samuel’s safety and for David’s reign.

A Moment’s Thought: You can trust the God who saves.