Days 98-99 - 2010

Originally posted in a forum in 2010 - this post may contain links which are no longer valid, if you find a non-working link, please let me know and I will attempt to find a replacement or make a correction as necessary.

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Day 98-99

Samuel's instruction at Gilgal - witness his uprightness in dealing with the people. Calling to their remembrance God's faithfulness to and for them, though they had sinned.

1 Samuel 12:10 - And they cried unto the Lord, and said, We have sinned, because we have forsaken the Lord, and have served Baalim and Ashtaroth: but now deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, and we will serve thee.

Do we cry out to the Lord? Do we even see the sin, the subtlety of our wickedness in ourselves, our families, our nations? Do we stand against it and cry our for mercy?

First war with Philistines

Saul's first rejection as king - impatient...how oft do we dash forward desiring to please God, only to find out we were to be still and wait?

Jonathan's victory over Philistines

Continual war with Philistines

Birth of David

Saul's second rejection as king - Do this...and he did not. What in our lives has Father told us to do or not do and we continue to minimize or 'excuse' away?

1 Samuel 15:11 - It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved (H2734 - to glow or grow warm) Samuel; and he cried (H2199 - to shriek {from anguish or danger}) unto the Lord all night.

I have cried...sometimes hours, but never all night and never so selflessly. Unto the Lord, yes, but for a nation? No. For the ungodliness and rejection of a leader, never. O' Father give us hearts that grieve for the rejection of peoples and nations. Let our hearts be burdened for those who are lost, for the wickedness in high places.

1 Samuel 15:22-23 And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou has rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

Lord, help Your people to HEAR and obey Your word. Not to follow after our own desires, wants or wishes.

1 Samuel 15:35 - And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned (H56 - to bewail) for Saul: and the Lord repented that he had made Saul king over Israel.

Decline of Saul and rise of David

Enmity between Saul and David

David to be king of Judah - Chosen - Anointed

In 1 Samuel 16:1 God tells Samuel to quit mourning for Saul. How often do we live in our past mistakes? Learn, let go and prayerfully desire to give a better, more proper estimate of who Father is in and through us as we go forward.

David's music calms Saul

We have been chosen and anointed with the Holy Spirit of the Living God to give a proper estimate of who HE is in all that we say, do and think. Are we? Do we give a accurate example of Christ likeness in every area of our lives? How much like the world do we look like?

How many bleating sheep and lowing oxen can be heard amongst us?

Lord give us hearts that desire to please You - let us be a proper representation of You and Your Word to those who are perishing.