Day 76, or March the 17th. Is there a job outstanding,
waiting for you? Our thought today is from 1
Samuel chapter 9, verse 16. About this time tomorrow,
I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin.
Anoint him ruler over my people Israel. He will
deliver them from the hand of the Philistines.
I have looked on my people. for their cry has
reached me. First, the big picture surrounding
this verse. Despite his better judgment, Samuel
does as God commands and anoints Saul as the
first king of Israel. He is tall and handsome,
but if that's all you can say about him, then
it doesn't say much. He passes his initiation
test as the Ammonites are defeated, and the people
demand he is made king. They are convinced that
this is the man who will lead them to success.
Samuel tells them Saul is already anointed as
king, and the people are so pleased. You would
think it was the end of their troubles, whereas
it was really only the beginning. And now today's
action step. The first king of Israel was a man
called Saul. He was chosen by God. In fact, that
is what his name means. He was chosen to conquer
the Philistines and so release the land to the
Israelites, just as it was promised to their
father Abraham. He did try, but never had the
heart for the job, and his task was sadly left
unfinished. How sad it is when a footballer or
cricketer is selected to do a specific job for
his team, and he doesn't fulfil the role. This
can often be simply a mistake by the selectors.
It's even worse when God, who never makes mistakes,
gives you a job, plus a promise to be with you
and help you, and you fail to trust him and try.
Some people struggle the whole of their lives
with this big issue of, have I fulfilled the
task God has entrusted to me? This may be a timely
reminder for you that God has something for all
of us to do as part of his church. If you are
unfulfilled, it could be that the job God has
given you is unfulfilled. Search your heart,
and if you sense there is a job, large or small,
that God's given you, just do it.