Bible Reflections From Scripture Union Volume OneSample

Settling for Second Best
Read 1 Samuel 9:1–10:16
When Samuel caught sight of Saul, the LORD said to him, "This is the man I spoke to you about; he will govern my people." 1 Samuel 9:17
Although God knows a certain plan may not be good for us, if we persist and clamour for it, He may let us have it! A king is certainly not easy to please. The subjects will be enslaved by him and God basically wants His people to be free. God had great plans for the future prosperity of His people, blessed by His personal management and guidance. But they rejected Him. It seems that they preferred to be enslaved again by a human monarch like they were in Egypt.
Although it was not His will that Israel should have a king, God did not abandon Israel but personally took pains to choose a king for them. Even Samuel must have been surprised that Saul was the chosen one. Saul was looking for missing donkeys, not some heroic pursuit. Saul himself had to be convinced and given proof that he was God’s choice (10:1). But Samuel did not query God. In fact the amount of instructions he had to give was rather astounding in detail. This almost sounds like an Asian mother giving her unending instructions to a son who is taking up his first assignment overseas.
It was God who changed Saul’s heart (10:9) to fit him to be king. It has been said that he was changed instantaneously from a kid to a king, from a rancher to a ruler! God’s chosen king must have a heart totally submitted to God’s leading.
Never settle for the second best when God has the best in store for you.B126
Read 1 Samuel 9:1–10:16
When Samuel caught sight of Saul, the LORD said to him, "This is the man I spoke to you about; he will govern my people." 1 Samuel 9:17
Although God knows a certain plan may not be good for us, if we persist and clamour for it, He may let us have it! A king is certainly not easy to please. The subjects will be enslaved by him and God basically wants His people to be free. God had great plans for the future prosperity of His people, blessed by His personal management and guidance. But they rejected Him. It seems that they preferred to be enslaved again by a human monarch like they were in Egypt.
Although it was not His will that Israel should have a king, God did not abandon Israel but personally took pains to choose a king for them. Even Samuel must have been surprised that Saul was the chosen one. Saul was looking for missing donkeys, not some heroic pursuit. Saul himself had to be convinced and given proof that he was God’s choice (10:1). But Samuel did not query God. In fact the amount of instructions he had to give was rather astounding in detail. This almost sounds like an Asian mother giving her unending instructions to a son who is taking up his first assignment overseas.
It was God who changed Saul’s heart (10:9) to fit him to be king. It has been said that he was changed instantaneously from a kid to a king, from a rancher to a ruler! God’s chosen king must have a heart totally submitted to God’s leading.
Never settle for the second best when God has the best in store for you.B126
Scripture
About this Plan

Scripture Union Peninsular Malaysia's Bible reflections are devotional readings from the thoughts and insights of Asian writers. Consisting of 8 volumes, they cover the whole Bible in four years. Each volume contains books from the Old and New Testaments, and has a mix of historical, poetic and prophetic books, the gospels and epistles. Using this you can cultivate the discipline of a regular, systematic engagement with Scripture and gain an understanding of its magnificent story.
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