MONDAY February 25, 2019
A Time of Rejoicing
Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to Gilgal and renew the kingdom there.” So all the people went to Gilgal, and there they made Saul king before the Lord in Gilgal. There they made sacrifices of peace offerings before the Lord, and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.
1 Samuel 11:14-15
The prophet Samuel unified the nation of Israel. At Gilgal, on the opposite side of the Jordan, the prophet renewed the monarchy. Saul was reestablished as King of Israel. Saul started well; he had a great opportunity to become a good king. To become a great king, Saul needed certain godly qualities to lead God’s people. Sadly, Saul really did not have these good qualities––he had great weaknesses in his character that would arise later in his life. He would not finish well.
For now, God allowed Saul to be the anointed King of Israel. Saul was man’s choice––he was never God’s choice. Remember, God wanted a theocracy, but the people had made a choice for a monarchy––sad. Israel as a nation showed its weakness in wanting a king to rule over them. As sacrifices were made, all the men of Israel greatly rejoiced.Despite the choices Israel had made, God was still leading His people.
As Christians, we have a great opportunity to be a good influence in our homes, our church and in society. God help us to be good leaders, to put away our flesh, and to reckon the old man to be dead (Romans 6:6-23). No matter what position we are serving in the ministry, leaders always have to search their hearts.When God leads our lives, there will be rejoicing; but when we begin to work in the flesh––our carnal man, there will be no rejoicing––only mourning and bitterness.
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when a wicked man rules, the people groan.
~Proverbs 29:2~
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