Samuel's last words to his people: "Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet, do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty." I Sam 12:20. We didn't find what we thought we came to Austin to do. No, we found "salvation for our souls." We picked up 21 years of living in Fort Worth and in one tiny weekend, we moved that dwelling and all its contents over 100 miles south to find God's will for our lives. "Follow the LORD your God, it will be well ~ I Sam 12:14. In his commentary, Matthew Henry says that he thinks we met with those, in this new place, who seemed to know the secrets of our hearts and lives. And here, we have been led seriously to regard the Word of God. The Lord has prepared us for what is far better. Matthew Henry.
COME BOLDLY: Timeless Prayers
Dear Father,
This day, we will all fulfill goals and plans on the agenda of our life. Would you meet us here. Would you send those who appear as though they know our secrets---you did just that for me yesterday and I can never thank you enough. I sat in a group of 1,000---and you sent that one. And the words spoken, beyond belief. Thank you for the serious look into Your Word. And A Thousand Thanks for preparing for us, This Day, what is far better!
PHOTO: Flickr, The Commons, photo credit. Copyright available. The Perfect Storm. We wake up every day thinking life will be okay; and some nights we go to bed knowing life really is not okay. We moved to a new town, after 21 years in the same place, seeking stability and freedom. We found Something Someone "far better."
Samuel's word to the wise: Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart.
ReplyDeleteSaul's demise. Where does Saul go off the path? God's anointed king. We all make mistakes but Saul fails to learn from his. He doesn't fear God as much as he looks to what he sees and hears and knows to serve him well. And it is his undoing. He falls as low as anyone can fall.
Over the next few days, as we examine Saul's path to destruction falling on his own sword, let's look at where he takes the wrong path, and note where his faith should have grown, and his obedience.
Sin has a way about creeping up on us. Learning to trust God means not fearing ourselves, or any man. As Samuel said, "Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart!" The path to life.
From a young man searching for his father's donkeys to an anointed king in one day. I can't even imagine it. Samuel reminds us though we sin, when we cry out to our Father - He hears us.
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