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A King After God’s Own Heart
Read 1 Samuel 13:1-22
"But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people, because you have not kept the LORD's command." 1 Samuel 13:14
Sometimes the wrong decisions we make in life can be so costly. In Saul’s case, he lost his dynasty altogether because of his impatience. It was a costly disobedience (v 14). God demands total obedience especially when His plan is clearly revealed. To disobey is foolishness (v 13).
Saul's fear of the impending attack of the Philistines led him to disobey God and offer the sacrifice hurriedly before Samuel arrived. Samuel could have intentionally arrived late to test Saul’s patience. In Asia, as elsewhere in the world, we face the problem of believers being disobedient in the area of marriage in particular (2 Corinthians 6:15). One of their main reasons is that most of the locals profess other faith. But a Chinese saying warns that ‘a wrong step made results in a lifetime of bitterness’.
We must remind ourselves that God is far from intimidated if we are disobedient. There is always another who will obey God. When Saul disobeyed, immediately Samuel prophesied that God had already found a man ‘after His own heart’ (v 14), a man who delights to do His will whatever it takes. This was a prophecy about David long before he was on the scene. And long after, in Acts 13:22, Paul the apostle reiterates that David was really such a man.
1 Samuel 15:22: To obey is better than sacrifice.
What does it mean where you are, in practical terms, to be ‘after God’s own heart’?
Read 1 Samuel 13:1-22
"But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people, because you have not kept the LORD's command." 1 Samuel 13:14
Sometimes the wrong decisions we make in life can be so costly. In Saul’s case, he lost his dynasty altogether because of his impatience. It was a costly disobedience (v 14). God demands total obedience especially when His plan is clearly revealed. To disobey is foolishness (v 13).
Saul's fear of the impending attack of the Philistines led him to disobey God and offer the sacrifice hurriedly before Samuel arrived. Samuel could have intentionally arrived late to test Saul’s patience. In Asia, as elsewhere in the world, we face the problem of believers being disobedient in the area of marriage in particular (2 Corinthians 6:15). One of their main reasons is that most of the locals profess other faith. But a Chinese saying warns that ‘a wrong step made results in a lifetime of bitterness’.
We must remind ourselves that God is far from intimidated if we are disobedient. There is always another who will obey God. When Saul disobeyed, immediately Samuel prophesied that God had already found a man ‘after His own heart’ (v 14), a man who delights to do His will whatever it takes. This was a prophecy about David long before he was on the scene. And long after, in Acts 13:22, Paul the apostle reiterates that David was really such a man.
1 Samuel 15:22: To obey is better than sacrifice.
What does it mean where you are, in practical terms, to be ‘after God’s own heart’?
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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