THERE IS A PRICE TO PAY FOR DISOBEDIENCE

Proclamation:

“But now your kingdom will not endure; The Lord has sought out a man after His own heart and appointed him ruler of His people, because you have not kept The Lord’s command.”  1 Samuel 13:14 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the prophet Samuel.  After Saul had won the battle against the Ammonites, (1 Samuel 11:11) the people confirmed him as their king. (1 Samuel 11:14-15)  Then he attacked the Philistines (1 Samuel 13:4) and when they regrouped to do battle against Israel.  The size of their army struck fear in the hearts of the Israelites. (1 Samuel 13:5-7)  Saul had been told by Samuel to wait seven days for him before he did anything.  When Samuel did not show up at the appointed time, Saul took matters into his own hands and offered up a burnt offering. When Samuel arrived and saw what Saul had done, he reprimanded him for not following the command of The Lord God. (1 Samuel 13:8-14)  The punishment was that Saul will be replaced by David.

Application:

All too often we are not patient, we want things when we want them, and we do not wait on The Lord God to provide them.  When we do things our way, and not His way, we mess things up and get into trouble.  We are told to wait upon The Lord. (Psalm 27:14, Psalm 37:34, and Proverbs 20:22)  When we do not follow The Word of God, we will have to pay a price.  As believers we will not lose our salvation because we sin, but we will be punished for willful disobedience of the commands of The Lord God.

WITH THE HELP OF THE LORD GOD

Proclamation:

“As Saul turned to leave Samuel, God changed Saul’s heart, and all these signs were fulfilled that day.  When he and his servant arrived at Gibeah, a procession of prophets met him; The Spirit of God came powerfully upon him, and he joined in their prophesying.”  1 Samuel 10:9-10 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the prophet Samuel.  After The Lord God told Samuel that He had chosen Saul to lead Israel, Samuel conveyed this to Saul (1 Samuel 9:27) and then he anointed him king over all of God’s people. (1 Samuel 10:1)  Afterwards Samuel told Saul the events which would transpire after he left, and the people that he would meet when he left him. (1 Samuel 10:2-8)   The Spirit of God came upon Saul and he was changed.  He began to prophesy, then he led them in battle and was victorious over the Ammonites (1 Samuel 11:11) and the people made him king. (1 Samuel 11:14-15)

Application:

With the help of The Lord God, Saul went from being a frightened young man (1 Samuel 10:22-23) to being the victorious leader of an army and king of Israel.  Once we accept The Lord God into our life and become a true believer, we will change.  All things are possible with God. (Matthew 19:26, Mark 9:23, and Mark 10:27)  God can change us, and our behavior, such that everyone who knew us beforehand will see the difference in us.  The Lord God can use whomever He chooses in order to accomplish His purpose.