Responding to God's Opportunities

Read 1 Samuel 9-10.

It is easy for those who know the Bible to jump to the end of Saul’s story.  However, we should not miss the moments here and the clear statements of the Scriptures.  This truly is a picture filled with contradictions.  Here are just a few:

Israel wanted a king.

But it was not God's timing.

Saul was from a wealthy family.  He was personally taller and more handsome than anyone else.

But he does not have any experience in leadership.

He was being looked to as a leader.

But he lacked self-confidence and displayed personal insecurities.

He was from the tribe of Benjamin.

But the kingly tribe was to be Judah (Genesis 49:10).

God answered the people's request.

But Samuel told them they had rejected God.

From the start Saul's selection appears to be a temporary appeasement until the real king is ready.  In the meantime, God did some wonderful things for Saul.  He gave him resources and opportunities to succeed, from the inside out.  The future would then be up to Saul and his responses to his God-given opportunities.

What did God do initially to help Saul?

1. "The Spirit of the LORD” rushed upon him (10:6).

2. "God gave him another heart" (10:9).

3. He was noticeably a changed man (10:11).

As Samuel prepared the nation for this leadership transition, he gave them a short history lesson and closed by charging them in writing (10:25).  In doing so, he reminded them of God goodness to them in a phrase in mid-sentence. "...who saves you from all you calamities and your distresses" (10:19b).

Consider all the God-given opportunities each of us has today.  "His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises..." (2 Peter 1:3-4a).  Today, through personal faith in Jesus, the LORD has already provided all we need to live for Him.  Our life story is told in how we respond.