“But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be commander over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.” ~ I Samuel 13:14
REFERENCE:
We came into this world with nothing and are entitled to nothing unless it is allocated by grace according to God’s purpose for our lives. We must see everything we have as a privilege. Many would give an arm and a leg to be where you are, but what we hope to achieve often blinds or corrupts the spirit of gratitude and makes us ingrates.
Saul was a man whose testimonies should have resounded for generations to come, but it was not so. He was chosen from the tribe of Benjamin to be king of Israel. Regarding the kingdom, the tribe of Benjamin was not mentioned; that was meant for Judah, but for whatever reason, God chose him. What a great privilege it was for Saul to become the King of God’s Israel from an obscure family. However, Saul soon let this honor slip through his fingers.
Saul overstepped his bounds. He ventured into the office of a priest and offered the sacrifice that Samuel should have. His reason is, “People are leaving me; they are blocking me on social media; they no longer like my posts, and I feel I am going to lose my hard-earned followership.” Saul lost his legacy because he was too focused on self and people, not God.
Saul’s behavior displeased God. He feared the people more than God; he was disobedient to a direct command, consumed by excessive self-love, and foolishly behaved. Saul did not value his privileges: wearing a crown, holding a staff, sitting on a throne, and adjudicating in all matters. Hence, God looked for a replacement—a man after His own heart—David.
God found David in the desert, tending sheep – a young, ruddy boy with a heart for God and a readiness to serve. One reason to value your privileges is because you can lose them; God has a replacement; no man can stop God’s work. Use your honor, privilege, office, calling, riches, or title today to serve God’s will, and don’t let it get into your head. Don’t let your fear of men’s opinion, arrogance, insecurity, or ingratitude rob you of the honor God has bestowed on you. God will commit more to you if you are faithful in today’s little.
PHOTO QUOTE
ADDITIONAL TEXTS:
Zechariah 4:8-10, II Samuel 7:18-22, and Luke 19:37-40
PRAYER:
+ Lord, I reactivate my sense of value and appreciation for who You are and all You have done in my life. I thank You, Lord.
+ Where I have despised Your blessing and called it ‘small,’ Lord, forgive me. Help me count my blessings and be grateful for Your good deeds.
