June 5 & 9, 2019
ISRAEL WAS LOOKING FOR A KING … GOD WAS LOOKING FOR A HEART
Samuel was displeased with their request and went to the Lord for guidance. “Do everything they say to you,” the Lord replied, “for they are rejecting me, not you. They don’t want me to be their king any longer. —1 Samuel 8:6-7 NIV
But the people refused to listen to Samuel’s warning. “Even so, we still want a king,” they said. “We want to be like the nations around us. Our king will judge us and lead us into battle.” —1 Samuel 8:19-20 NIV
• Hardened hearts make ears deaf.
• Hardened hearts make wisdom seem like folly.
• Hardened hearts are never satisfied.
As Saul turned and started to leave, God gave him a new heart, and all Samuel’s signs were fulfilled that day. —1 Samuel 10:9 NIV
Saul doubted God’s
So they asked the Lord, “Where is he?” And the Lord replied, “He is hiding among the baggage.” So they found him and brought him out, and he stood head and shoulders above anyone else. —1 Samuel 10:22-23
QUESTION - Am I hiding from God?
Saul forgot His
Early the next morning Samuel went to find Saul. Someone told him, “Saul went to the town of Carmel to set up a monument to himself; then he went on to Gilgal.” —1 Samuel 15:12
QUESTION - Am I forgetting him in my blessings?
Saul struggled with
But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams. —1 Samuel 15:22
QUESTION - Do I struggle with authority?
Saul became a
Then Saul admitted to Samuel, “Yes, I have sinned. I have disobeyed your instructions and the Lord’s command, for I was afraid of the people and did what they demanded. —1 Samuel 15:24
When people’s opinion matters more than God’s the heart begins to harden.
QUESTION - Whose opinion matters most?
As Samuel turned to go, Saul tried to hold him back and tore the hem of his robe. And Samuel said to him, “The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to someone else—one who is better than you. —1 Samuel 15:27-28
FILL OUT THIS WEEK’S CONNECTION CARD HERE
- Today, I choose to give my life to Jesus.
- I struggle with authority and it affects my life.
- I need to be reminded where the source of life comes from.
- I can make choices that satisfy the crowd and disappoint God.
Then the Lord said to Samuel, “I am sorry that I ever made Saul king, for he has not been loyal to me and has refused to obey my command.” —1 Samuel 15:10