The People’s Choice

Behold the king whom ye have chosen, and whom ye have desired. 1 Samuel 12:13.
In Saul, God had given to Israel a king after their own heart…. Comely in person, of noble stature and princely bearing, his appearance accorded with their conceptions of royal dignity; and his personal valor and his ability in the conduct of armies were the qualities which they regarded as best calculated to secure respect and honor from other nations. They felt little solicitude that their king should possess those higher qualities which alone could fit him to rule with justice and equity. They did not ask for one who had true nobility of character, who possessed the love and fear of God. They had not sought counsel from God as to the qualities a ruler should possess, in order to preserve their distinctive, holy character as His chosen people. They were not seeking God’s way, but their own way. Therefore God gave them such a king as they desired—one whose character was a reflection of their own. Their hearts were not in submission to God, and their king also was unsubdued by divine grace. Under the rule of this king they would obtain the experience necessary in order that they might see their error, and return to their allegiance to God.
Yet the Lord, having placed on Saul the responsibility of the kingdom, did not leave him to himself. He caused the Holy Spirit to rest upon Saul to reveal to him his own weakness and his need of divine grace; and had Saul relied upon God, God would have been with him. So long as his will was controlled by the will of God, so long as he yielded to the discipline of His Spirit, God could crown his efforts with success. But when Saul chose to act independently of God, the Lord could no longer be his guide, and was forced to set him aside. Then He called to the throne “a man after His own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14)—not one who was faultless in character, but who, instead of trusting to himself, would rely upon God, and be guided by His Spirit; who, when he sinned, would submit to reproof and correction
Conflict and Courage p. 148
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Prayer Requests
—–My family is having problems with a neighbor. Please pray that that can be resolved satisfactorily. L
—–sad update—Adrian passed away on Sabbath. Please pray for his family and friends as well as for the other boy who was injured. Eileen
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Friends,
A warning has been issued for those living on or near the San Andreas Fault to prepared for a 4.3 or larger earthquake within the next day or two. They are urging people to have enough food and water on hand, for several days. Hopefully, it will be the smaller number and not the huge devastation the media is reporting.
How often we feel like our life is being shaken apart by an even stronger earthquake than that which is predicted. How many times we are overwhelmed because of the onslaughts of the evil one who “as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 Yet, through all the troubles and trials, we have the promise, “When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.” Isa 59:19
When things go terribly wrong in life and it seems that no one cares or understands, there is Someone Who is our Helper. “The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble, and he knoweth them that trust in him.” Nahum 1:7 When those about us abuse us, circulate falsehoods about us, and do all within their power to destroy us, we have a Strong Deliverer. Our Dear Saviour says, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord.” Rom 12:19 We may not see that “repaying” right away, but it will come nonetheless.
When those we love forsake us or turn against us, we have the assurance, “When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.” Ps 27:10 When the evil one uses those near to us to bring in doubts and confusion and we know not which path to take, our Good Shepherd says, “And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.” Isa 30:21 “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” Ps 32:8