Recently I have been going through the book of 1 Samuel again. By writing out my observations, passage by passage; and then the insights and applications the Lord brings to my attention, I am finding the Word coming so freshly alive!
The other day in chapter 13 verse 13 Samuel said something very sobering to Saul, "You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment which the Lord your God commanded you."
Saul, like we believers today, had been chosen by the Lord to reign in the Kingdom and had done fairly well up to this point, but during this recent test he 'saw his people scattering from him, Samuel, his godly authority didn't come when Saul thought he should, and the enemy was gathering to attack.' With such a focus on outward situations, Saul felt 'compelled' to do something that was not his job to do. Instead of trusting God to come through, he 'took matters into his own hands,' and how often do we do that? Samuel told him that "now your kingdom will not continue." That seems so very harsh!
Yesterday in our morning meeting the passage from Matthew 25 was read, concerning the wise and the foolish virgins. When the Bridegroom returned those who were wise- who took oil in their vessels with their lamps- went in with Him to the wedding, and the door was shut to the foolish ones who were told they needed to "buy for themselves." Again, this even seems shocking!
But what are these passages saying? And, how do we 'buy the oil?' and what do we do if we have failed to do what He commands us?
In Luke 10:38 we are told that Martha welcomed Jesus into her house. This is wonderful but...after receiving Him, she then was distracted with much serving; becoming "worried and troubled about many things." She even developed a very unloving attitude towards her sister, Mary, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to serve alone? TELL her to help me." Again, if we are honest, we have to confess we have had attitudes like this at times.
And what did Jesus say about Mary who was sitting at His feet, listening to His every Word? "But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her."
It seems that the key to carrying out His commands is to spend time in His presence really listening to Him. That will supply us with the awareness to discern wisely what He is asking of us...and the supply to actually do it! Today we have His Word, the Bible, and we can ask Him to speak to our hearts as we read or listen to His Word. This I believe, will enable us to be the wise virgins full of the oil of the Holy Spirit, and ready for the wedding feast!
And what if we have 'taken matters into our own hands' as Saul or Martha did? When the Holy Spirit convicts us (and He does)...let's purpose not to make an excuse; to justify ourselves, or to blame someone else. We can simply confess our sin, agree with whatever He convicts us of. Then He says He is faithful to forgive and to cleanse us again.
Oh may we be awake, alert to guard our hearts in this way! May we truly watch and then we will be ready for the Bridegroom...and we will reign in His Kingdom,
