November 6, 2009
SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 13
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
“I thought, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the LORD’s favour.’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering.” “You acted foolishly,’ Samuel said. “You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time.” [1 Samuel 13:12-13] This is a test. The first rulers in creation faced a test [Genesis 2:16-17]. Jesus is sent by the Spirit into the wilderness to face such a test: Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. [Matthew 4:1] God often tests His people, to see what is in their heart [Exodus 16:4, 20:18-20, Deuteronomy 8:2,16, Judges 2:21-22, Judges 3:1-4, Jeremiah 9:7, James 1:2-3]. We are not to test God [Matthew 4:7], but He tests us, to make sure that the metal of our hearts is good and firm. Saul is like an airplane made from inferior quality metal. Would you want to fly in that plane?
The specific test is one that God often uses; will we hang on, even if God fails to come through when or how we think He should. Samuel was late, it was the brink of war, his soldiers were defecting – would Saul wait for the Lord’s sign through Samuel that they would win, or would he take matters into his own hands? By offering the sacrifice himself, to make the soldiers ‘think’ that God was on their side, he kept his army intact, but he lost his God- confidence. If he had stood firm in this test, trusting in God to deliver them from the enemy, even with a reduced army, he would have secured his place in God’s plans, his kingdom under God would have endured.
Is there a test that God uses for you? A situation or a weakness that you struggle with, that God is waiting for you to push through, to overcome? As long as we give in, we reveal the weakness of the metal of our hearts. God wants to entrust us with more, but if we can’t handle a little, how can He trust us with much [Luke 16:10-12]? Its not nice being tested, but it is necessary. Think again of that airplane. Would you want to fly in an airplane that wasn’t tested? Or be operated on by a surgeon who wasn’t tested? The reason they are tested is because God wants to advance His mission through us.
So what is my test?
PRAYER:
Lord, I know my test area, and I know my weakness. Thank You for being patient with me, for not withdrawing Your calling from me. Help me to stand firm, to trust You, and to do what You call me to do!
It is very hard to judge others on their own tests that are before them. Part of me sighs with Saul when I see him get looped into these bad decisions … but then it really speaks to me how much I need to be totally open to the Lord and the things he is teaching me, because, “yes student, there will be a test in this!”
So in particular, the things the Lord is teaching me and exposing me to, I need to pay attention to. I need to work them out before the Lord, because it is in those things where God is going to follow up and test me on them. Am I ready?
I need to hit the books … or at least hit “the book” and be in tune with my teacher
‘Word of God speak . . . washing my eyes to see that You are in this place’ are the words of the song while I am responding to the devotions of this day. Hindsight is always 100%. I can see His faithfulness and presence in my life in days past, but in the present time? That’s tough. Although my prayer each morning is by the grace of God, here I go – today God is first, there are the times I place myself first. God’s timing and my timing. I need to place all in His hand and rely on Him in the good times and in the ‘bad times’.
When I travel through a dark valley do I see His shadow? Do I sense His presence? Do I hear His voice saying, Not yet? Am I anxious, discouraged? And I find my answer where? Against all odds – Christ still is my rock. My anchor needs to hold fast. Always. That must be my surety. As gold is refined by fire so too this Christ follower must be purified, standing on His promises and His timing and in the meantime, do what He has asked me to do – serve Him. Be the living letter for Jesus each day.
All for Jesus, all for Jesus!
All my being’s ransomed powers:
All my thoughts and words and doings,
All my days and all my hours.
Refrain
All for Jesus! All for Jesus!
All my days and all my hours;
All for Jesus! All for Jesus!
All my days and all my hours.
Let my hands perform His bidding,
Let my feet run in His ways;
Let my eyes see Jesus only,
Let my lips speak forth His praise.
Refrain
Worldlings prize their gems of beauty,
Cling to gilded toys of dust,
Boast of wealth and fame and pleasure;
Only Jesus will I trust.
Refrain
Since my eyes were fixed on Jesus,
I’ve lost sight of all beside;
So enchained my spirit’s vision,
Looking at the Crucified.
Refrain
Oh, what wonder! how amazing!
Jesus, glorious King of kings,
Deigns to call me His belovèd,
Lets me rest beneath His wings.