FAMILY / LEADERSHIP - What did they do with the one life given by God? What was their story?
HANNAH. Leaves Grief in His Hands. Hannah leaves her grief with the One who holds life in His Hands. I Samuel 1:18. And she deals with what stirs within her. Her circumstances do not change as she prays; her heart changes.
SAMUEL. Called and Fully Lives as Priest, Prophet, and Judge. I Samuel 5:11 - The hand of the Lord was very heavy on the Philistines. And how does Samuel respond to a stolen Ark: Samuel says: If you are returning to the Lord with all your heart, then put away those things that are more important than God and serve Him only. Samuel’s life message was 1Samuel 10:6—you will be transformed when you follow God.
ELI. Reduced God’s Place in His Life. Cared more about his family than his God. Lived with integrity but missed his Maker.
SAUL. A Life of Pragmatism Trumped Holiness. Lack of Leadership. Rebellion. Don't chase after “ghost-gods”—-that’s what Eugene Peterson called Saul’s ambition. .1 Samuel 13:12-14. Saul saw the Philistines poised to attack him and he did not go before God asking for help. He took matters in his own hands. Saul heard the women of all the villages collectively praising the one beneath his stature, beneath his superiority, beneath his success. Saul has slain his thousands. David has slain his tens of thousands. All the women of the country customarily come out and cheer as you march through the towns upon return from battle. Saul demanded life be managed to keep up with his persona.
SAUL. A Life of Pragmatism Trumped Holiness. Lack of Leadership. Rebellion. Don't chase after “ghost-gods”—-that’s what Eugene Peterson called Saul’s ambition. .1 Samuel 13:12-14. Saul saw the Philistines poised to attack him and he did not go before God asking for help. He took matters in his own hands. Saul heard the women of all the villages collectively praising the one beneath his stature, beneath his superiority, beneath his success. Saul has slain his thousands. David has slain his tens of thousands. All the women of the country customarily come out and cheer as you march through the towns upon return from battle. Saul demanded life be managed to keep up with his persona.
JONATHAN. A Gift of God. Jonathan's faith revealed no one could stop God from saving them. Jonathan’s love for David, the future king to replace his father, crossed families. Saul had 600 soldiers with him. Jonathan attacked. They killed only 20 soldiers that day, but they actually grew Saul's army from 600 to 10,000. God did it for Jonathan and his faithful armor-bearer.
GOLIATH. A Giant. Proof God Doesnt Save by Means of Sword or Spear. Goliath was taunting the troops of “God-Alive.” I Samuel 17:47 The battle belongs to God. Pick up 5 smooth stones, I Samuel 17:40, and watch God deliver. The Great High Priest at work.
DAVID. A Lifetime of Drawing Near to God. God was moving for David even when things looked bad. Saul continued to pursue to destroy David every day! I Sam 23:14. David has 400 men with him---the discouraged, the depressed, the down-and-out. Saul has 3,000 men with him---the arrogant, the confident, the jubilant, the best. Yet . . .David wins. David spares Saul's life when he has a chance, screaming after Saul: "After whom do you pursue?" --- The person who just saved your life! In Psalm 142:4,5 David felt no man cared for his soul. He cried out to God: You are my Refuge. David did not deputize his world. He layed down his badge and found God in deeper ways.
ABIGAIL. Found Doing What Was Right. A Voice for A Future King. May we discern the face of our soul more than the face of the sky. Abigail did. I Samuel 25. She stood up for what was right. And she let God fight her battles. And she swept the very soul of David beyond his discernment. Found doing what is right; found fighting what is right; and found God was in her midst.
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