Reflect
This portion of I Samuel begins and ends (vs. 11; 35) with a very sad statement from God, that He regretted having made Saul king, because of his disobedience. The prophet Samuel also mourned, that Saul, who began small in his own eyes, became filled with pride and arrogance. He built a monument in his own honour, and decided that his own way of obeying was better than a complete obedience to God. When confronted by Samuel, Saul blamed others (the people and the soldiers), and tried to justify his motives. Pride and disobedience can make us blind to our sin.
Apply
It is dangerous when we choose our wishes and plans over the clear will of God. It is obvious to those around us when we make excuses for our sin, justifying our motives (we should listen and take to heart when we are confronted). We should remember from where God has brought us and be faithful to His calling. It is easy to “half” obey God – obeying in what is agreeable to us, and not obeying in the part that makes us uncomfortable. We need to daily pray: “Search me, O God, and know my heart…” Psalm 139:23-24.
Jerilyn Bayer
Pray
- Pray for Pastor Lyle, for his family and his ministry.
- Pray for Eric Peters, Facility Manager; Custodians, Adit Gamble, Stan Goodnough and Anne King; Maintenance, Joe Richards.
- Pray for our Church Board members: Bee Stiansen, Cam Klapstein, Darryl Sparling, Julie Leverette, Marvin Schneider, Matt Barker, Matt Chute, Mike Pedde, and Nick Mitchell.
- Pray for our office staff: Robin Radke and Naomi Voss; Bookkeeper Lynette Carlson.