How are we to look upon failure in light of Saul’s kingship over Israel? What is God rejecting in Saul? Can we ever fail completely before God? Since God chose Saul as king over Israel didn’t he already know that Saul wouldn’t be a faithful king? Is Saul’s kingship an illustration of how apart from Jesus Christ we are unable to follow God? What traits did Saul exhibit that led to his turning aside from God? What does Saul’s failure mean for me today? How do I reject God as Saul did by choosing my own way over the way that God desires for me? How can I guard my heart from turning aside from God? The reading of 1 Samuel chapter 15 caused me to ask a lot of questions about who God is and His sovereignty. It is easy to look at the story of Saul’s kingship and think that he was cheated out of ruling Israel. The choice I make on a daily basis to either follow God’s commands or seek my own glory and way was the same choice that was faced by Saul when he was king over Israel. Saul chose to seek out his own way apart from God. I believe that God is sovereign and whatever He chooses to do is wholly right so when I see that the kingdom was taken away from Saul I can trust that God did it for His purpose and glory. Continue Reading…
Many questions answered by God’s sovereignty: 1 Samuel 15 and 16
Following God in the face of deception: Joshua 9 and 10
What happens when we disobey God? What happens when we obey God? Why should we care? There is a story to be found about following and obeying God in Joshua chapters 9 and 10. In Joshua chapter 7 when the Israelites attacked Ai they were defeated by a substantially smaller force because they did not have God’s blessing and in fact God’s anger was kindled against Israel. The disobedience of Achan had made the Israelites unable to fight. Did pride filled their hearts as they thought the people of Ai to be an easy to defeat? In Joshua 9 and 10 the Israelites had moments where they could have again had the wrath of God turn upon them but in this moment the leaders choose to obey God instead of following their own way. Continue Reading…
Conversations with God in the Garden of Eden: Genesis 3 and 4
I find it amazing how God is showing my simple truths as I read through Genesis. In the garden of Eden God was physically present. I have always known that God was there but to think that he was physically present with Adam and Eve really amazes me. It makes me wonder at what point was God no longer physically present? Was God present in all His glory? What did Adam and Eve talk to God about? Continue Reading…
