Overview of: 1 SamuelToday's Reading:
1Sam. 8:1 – 10:8
"Israel's First King"
Focus Verses: 1 Samuel 9:25 - 10:1
9:25 After they came down from the high place to the town, Samuel talked with Saul on the roof of his house. 26 They rose about daybreak and Samuel called to Saul on the roof, "Get ready, and I will send you on your way." When Saul got ready, he and Samuel went outside together. 27 As they were going down to the edge of the town, Samuel said to Saul, "Tell the servant to go on ahead of us"-and the servant did so-"but you stay here awhile, so that I may give you a message from God." 10:1 Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on Saul's head and kissed him, saying, "Has not the LORD anointed you leader over his inheritance?
Insight:
Saul was chosen by God to accomplish a specific purpose. Seemingly mundane events in Saul's life were used by God in order to get Saul to the right place at the right time. As a witness to Saul that he was God's choice, Samuel anointed him with oil. Then, in order to confirm his words and actions to Saul, Samuel prophesied to him about specific things he would soon encounter and experience.
Response and Action:
I want to discover God's purpose and plan for me. I believe that the simple everyday actions of my life can be used by God to lead me to the place he wants me to be at the time he wants me to be there in order to to things he wants me to do. I will trust God to show me his will and to help me to do it by the power and grace of his Holy Spirit.
O God, lead me, teach me, transform, shape and strengthen me that I might delight in your will and walk in your ways to the glory of your Name. Confirm your calling and purpose for my life as seek you and prayerfully apply your word each day. Through Christ, I pray. Amen.
New Testament for Today: Romans 12:1,2
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
In Context: Romans 12:1-8
Proverb for Today: Prov. 18:12
"Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor."
Resources:
Listening to God in Times of Choice: The Art of Discerning God's Will
by Gordon T. Smith
