Tag: Samuel

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With handsome heart.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 1 Samuel‬ ‭16‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Samuel, being God’s king-maker, heads out on a secret mission to find the next king of Israel – while Saul is still the sitting king! Saul’s own story of coming from obscurity to opulence and the highest position in the land is outrageously funny and sad, like a dark comedy. Saul was tall and very handsome, he LOOKED like a king in making, until he opened his mouth. Now Samuel is once again on a search, this time for a successor.

He arrives in Bethlehem under the ruse of sacrificing to God. A plan God gave Samuel as a coverup. Sneaky God! The little town of Bethlehem leaders were nervous when God’s spokesperson shows up. What’s wrong? The elders ask. Nothing, Samuel smoothly replies. Can’t a prophet come to a tiny, insignificant town, with a heifer in tow just to randomly sacrifice to the Lord? Geez…suspicious much? Of course it’s not normal, but look over here at this amazing feast.

Jesse brings his family to the sacrifice party, as instructed. As Jesse’s boys file in, Samuel immediately takes one look at the eldest son and says, “bingo,” that’s the one. Eliab was a looker! Job done, right? Nope. God says to Samuel a comment that’s been used thousands of times over the eons – “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” ‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭16‬:‭7‬ People judge by looks, but God judges by the heart. Eliab may be pretty, but his heart is lacking.

Jesse brings up all seven of his sons – I’m sure they were all handsome men! But, none of them are who God was looking for. Samuel is puzzled. “Is this all your sons?” he asks. Jesse then remembers he’s got an eighth son. The eighth boy is so young and seemingly insignificant that it never even crosses Jesse’s mind to invite him to a “family” sacrifice party; not common today for the “baby” of the family. Jesse tells Samuel, “oh yeah, there’s one more, but he’s out in the fields watching the sheep and goats.” Samuel tells Jesse, “send for him, we’ll wait to eat until he gets here.” I am sure the entire family were beside themselves trying to figure out what Samuel is really there for and what he is really looking for. Young David was probably about 12 years old, if not younger!

David arrives from the fields and it is Samuel who comments on HIS looks! “He was dark and handsome, with beautiful eyes.” Fact is, Jesse and his wife, Nitzevet, made eight hunky, handsome dudes! And the Lord said, “This is the one; anoint him.” So as David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the flask of olive oil he had brought and anointed David with the oil. And the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David from that day on.” It would take 18 years before David actually became king of Israel. David’s handsome looks got him in a ton of trouble while serving as king, but it was eventually his handsome heart that God saw in him all along. Oddly enough David had good looking sons as well – Absalom was VERY handsome (2 Samuel 14:25) and so was Solomon! Which would you choose, handsome looks or a handsome heart?

Prayer

Dad,
I can understand how you look at the heart more than you look at our appearances, but people DO look at appearances. And, there are good looking people across all ethnicities and cultures. It cannot be that beauty is only in the eye of the beholder, as Shakespeare wrote. It can’t be that all judgement of beauty is subjective. Sure with art forms and perceptions it may be true, but with such views as faces and stature, it seems that these features have always been honored. I have personally met folks with a beautiful soul as well. And sometimes it’s as though their innate persona gave off a particular glow of beauty about them. It seemed as though I was smitten by their inner grace, mercy and humility. Beauty from what is not seen and beauty from what is seen. What a mystery! I am thankful that we are all image bearers of Yours! Amen.

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If only it was this simple.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

”Then Samuel took a flask of olive oil and poured it over Saul’s head. He kissed Saul and said, “I am doing this because the Lord has appointed you to be the ruler over Israel, his special possession.“ ‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭10‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This whole story of God relenting and giving Israel what they were BEGGING for – a KING, is amazing. Like little kindergartners in the global playground, Israel’s leaders wanted to be like all the other nations surrounding them. Samuel warned them that they did not fully understand what they were asking for, but they wanted a King nonetheless. Here in these chapters is the process by which God selects their first King FOR them. God only does this kind of selection a couple of times, before Israel decides for themselves. I am fascinated of how gracious, kind and thorough God is in this process of their first King appointment.

God’s spokesperson, Samuel, is given the responsibility of setting up a private meeting with a young man named Saul, and telling him exactly what God will do in him and through him. When we read these verses, 10:2-6, we find four specific moments that Samuel tells Saul exactly what will happen and who it will happen with and where it will take place. Amazing! The who, what, when and where of God’s plans for Saul’s life at the start. If it were only this simple today!

Samuel explains what would happen next, in perfect order: First two men at Rachel’s tomb and what they will say. Then three men at the oak of Tabor, and what they will say (plus! the bonus of a couple loafs of bread – always a treat). Then at Gibeah, a band of prophets, along with the instruments they will be playing. And finally, the Spirit of the Lord will come on him and Saul will prophesy with the band! And, Samuel tells Saul “you will be changed into a different person.” It happened exactly as Samuel said it would. Saul did not tell his father about any of it!

Yet, even with all that detail, and powerful confirmation moments that God is choosing Saul to be Israel’s first King, what happens when the big announcement goes out and Samuel wants to present God’s choice to the people? Saul goes AWOL. ”So Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel before the Lord…” Even though Samuel knew who God’s choice was, he still went through the process of using Urim and Thummim (polished round stones that were a part of the High Priest’s robe) to “cast lots.” Family by family, until finally down to one individual was determined. Of course, it was Saul. But where was Saul? He was HIDING! When it came down to it, even after all the supernatural confirmations that God was leading him – Saul was terrified, scared to death to be chosen. The people found him, cowering, hiding, and brought him out to be their King.

There is so much here about why and how God chooses individuals to lead. There is so much truth about how many of them have a difficult time believing it, even with overwhelming proof. Saul is not the only one who struggled with such an overwhelming calling on his life. What has God called you to be, to do? What is God supernaturally laying out before you to convince and confirm to you that He wants to use you in His great plans in the Kingdom of God. No, it may not be the position of a king, but who knows? Saul had everything laid out for him, yet still he had enormous doubts. Even his friends and family kind of mocked him after he went home. Sure, Saul was tall and handsome, but people could clearly see that he was no leader! But God, right? Same with you and me. Maybe you don’t see it. Maybe your family and friends don’t see it. But God sees it, he sees you and who you will become!

It’s funny to think, “yeah, if all those crazy things happened to help me believe… then I’d say yes.” Really? Those things did not convince Saul either. I said this in a sermon yesterday, “Know God. Believe God. Follow God.” He is trustworthy to believe and God knows what He’s doing. Just say YES and start moving forward.

Prayer

Dad,
I still remember how hard it was for me to say “yes.” I still remember feeling awkward and uncomfortable, not really knowing what I was saying yes to! It took years to figure out, I wasn’t saying yes to a position, calling or pursuit, I was simply saying “yes” to You. The more I tried to figure out what I was supposed to do, the more I had to learn to listen and obey you. I wanted a supernatural roadmap of how my life would go and the only thing I discovered was I needed to get better at listening, not actually leading anything. You have been faithful. You are still faithful. Others get impatient that I don’t lead or do what they expect, but I am only called to please YOU, by obeying You. Thank for your grace and mercy as I muddle through this wonderful life of mystery.

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Warrior Moms.

Reading Time: 4 minutes 
“Then Hannah prayed: “My heart rejoices in the Lord! The Lord has made me strong. Now I have an answer for my enemies; I rejoice because you rescued me. No one is holy like the Lord! There is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.” 1 Samuel‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Then Hannah prayed. And the floodgates, bound up by angst and anticipation, burst out of her soul. Like a dam that had reached its maximum capacity. She either opens her soul to God or her heart would burst from holding in years of thoughts and emotions.

Who knew this girl had it in her? This is how it goes with quiet folk. It seems there is not much going on. They are quiet, keeping mostly to themselves and speak very little. The thought is, “they just don’t have anything to say.” Oh, but Hannah had words! Stored up words.

Moments of time and frustrations that had passed, it was all packed in tightly in her heart. Samuel tells us how hard it was for his mother, “Year after year it was the same—Peninnah would taunt Hannah as they went to the Tabernacle. Each time, Hannah would be reduced to tears and would not even eat. “Why are you crying, Hannah?” Elkanah would ask. “Why aren’t you eating? Why be downhearted just because you have no children? You have me—isn’t that better than having ten sons?” Her husband, asks her why? why? why? Aren’t I enough? Oh, poor Elkanah, he had no idea of what was going on. And, most of the time, I don’t know what’s really going on in my wife’s heart either (nor her knowing mine).

It’s recorded that Hannah speaks out twice, and briefly, early in the story. She pours out her soul before God in the tabernacle, the place God would visit from time to time. She says, “O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, if you will look upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you. He will be yours for his entire lifetime, and as a sign that he has been dedicated to the Lord, his hair will never be cut.” Did you read that? It starts like a warrior’s prayer! The second time Hannah speaks out, it’s both respectful and humble – even though Eli did not deserve respect, she gave it anyways.

You need to know a couple of oddities about Eli at this time. One, Samuel tells us that Eli was sitting in his normal spot at the entrance to the tabernacle. Strangely, there are no chairs on the list of items that God wanted in the tabernacle. Why was Eli sitting? Two, Eli doesn’t recognize an earnest prayer before God and mistakes Hannah’s cries as drunkenness! Had there not been anyone emotionally expressing themselves before God in that place? Or was Eli so uncomfortable with such emotions that he would rather believe it was because of booze? Three, by the way, Eli died sitting in a chair! (1 Samuel 4:18, “Eli fell backward from his seat beside the gate. He broke his neck and died, for he was old and overweight.) Back to Hannah.

“Oh no, sir!” she replied. “I haven’t been drinking wine or anything stronger. But I am very discouraged, and I was pouring out my heart to the Lord. Don’t think I am a wicked woman! For I have been praying out of great anguish and sorrow.””

God grants her favor and gives her a son. Several years later, after Samuel is born and weaned, Hannah keeps her promise and brings little Samuel to the tabernacle and allows Eli to adopt him as a guardian. After Elkanah and Hannah dedicate their son to God and present sacrifices as a thanksgiving offering, Hannah let’s this magnificent prayer loose. This intense, raw, prayer comes gushing out. This prayer is the echo, a second stanza to the first prayer she began with when she asked God for favor to give her a son.

“My heart,” she says, “rejoices! the Lord has made me STRONG.” Watch out enemies. Shut your mouth, sister Peninnah. How dare you mock me in my suffering and how dare you doubt that God would grant me my heart’s desire! Hannah was no longer quiet. Hannah was no longer pitied. Hannah was now a WARRIOR MOM!

Now more than ever we need warrior moms. Moms and grand-moms that are sick of being mocked about unanswered prayers and unfulfilled godly desires! Moms that cry out to God “O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, if you will look upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me… my son back, my daughter back, my grandchildren back. That they would come home, returning to you Oh Lord of Hosts!”

Warrior moms pray and God hears and works miracles on their behalf. Moms, don’t let Peninnahs’, Elkanahs’ or Elis’ mock you, distract you or stop you from getting your prayers up and out to God. Be strong. Pray strong.

Prayer

Dad,
I may not be a mom, but I can recognize a warrior mom who boldly asks, seeks, knocks and relentlessly, patiently comes before you in faith! I don’t know if you have favorite prayers from favorite people, but I somehow believe these warrior mom prayers get the attention of heaven and priority in your grace. All that I ask is that you ANSWER these prayers. On behalf of the tears shed for a generation of lost sons and daughters – please ANSWER these prayers.

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Relationships on the dark planet called earth.

Reading Time: 3 minutes 
“Then David took an oath before Jonathan and said, “Your father knows perfectly well about our friendship, so he has said to himself, ‘I won’t tell Jonathan—why should I hurt him?’ But I swear to you that I am only a step away from death! I swear it by the Lord and by your own soul!” 1 Samuel‬ ‭20:3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This scene that takes place with David and Jonathon takes place with an “in-between” moment, a now but not yet. God has already yanked His Spirit from Saul and put it on David. God has already renounced and even regretted Saul being king and has anointed and appointed David as successor. But God allows Saul to live on and allows this whole drama to play itself out.

One of the big mysteries of God is all about this kind of scenario. Why doesn’t God step in, intervene and just kill Saul himself? I don’t think we’ll ever fully understand until we enter eternity. God takes on the questions and “bad press” but it doesn’t bother Him in the least. God has ways we will not understand.

David had this ability to read people and situations incredibly well. It’s one of his gifts as a leader. He starts as a shepherd, living in opens fields caring for the sheep and ends up in the palace in preparation to serve as Israel’s second king. He’s found a true friend in Jonathan. Remember, Jonathan is much older than David, likely by at least 20 years! So if David is in his twenties, Jonathan is in his forties at this point. David knows Saul wants him dead but also doesn’t want to begin the inevitable “run for his life” outlaw lifestyle.

Jonathan just can’t believe his own father has the capacity to kill someone like David, an innocent, gifted young man that has only done good for the king and country. Jonathan’s own codependency just thinks, “Dad has some anger issues,” and seriously underestimates the real danger within his own family. Jonathan had been covering for his own Dad for several years and did not understand the shift that took place when the Spirit of God left his Dad! How is that possible? How can a son or a wife or daughter or even a father miss the cues of behavioral change in the family? Because we want to believe in the best in our loved ones and often can minimize the red flags because it means that some serious work needs to happen before a family member truly goes off the rails – hurting themselves or others. There were signs and warnings all along but they were ignored!

Jonathan tells David, “You’re not going to die. He always tells me everything he’s going to do, even the little things. I know my father wouldn’t hide something like this from me. It just isn’t so!” Did you see that? I KNOW MY FATHER. Jonathan may have KNOWN his father, but didn’t recognize or chose to minimize when his behavior radically changed.

Until Saul turned on his own son and made it clear, “Saul boiled with rage at Jonathan. “You stupid son of a whore!” he swore at him. “Do you think I don’t know that you want him to be king in your place, shaming yourself and your mother?” Jonathan tried to reason with his dad and actually defended his friend David. That did not go well! “Then Saul hurled his spear at Jonathan, intending to kill him. So at last Jonathan realized that his father was really determined to kill David.” Saul, the king, the spear hurler and father explodes with uncontrollable anger. Who in their right mind let this guy have access to weapons when he has lost his sanity? Saul didn’t have the courage to spear-hurl Goliath, but he now he’s throwing a man-tantrum at his own son!

God lets humanity’s choices play out and rarely overrides free will, even to the point of allowing crazy leaders to make horrible decisions. I am glad this story and others are left IN the Bible and IN God’s grand story from creation, to redemption, to the final end when true justice and grace will make all things right again. Personally, I get a little sick of living on the dark planet. It is filled with beauty. And there is good amidst evil. I’m just weary of our own arrogance of denial.

PRAYER:

Dad,
I agree with the cry “come quickly Lord Jesus,” but not to get out of this existence or have a callous heart towards humankind. I ache for the end. For godly justice to be served instead of these weak imitations and excuses for justice that is just a smokescreen for more selfish, self-serving ideologies pretending to help or advance our culture, our world. Let your light shine bright through my life and the lives of true followers of Jesus.