WEDNESDAY January 30, 2019

Spiritual Perception

So they went up to the city. As they were coming into the city, there was Samuel, coming out toward them on his way up to the high place.  Now the Lord had told Samuel in his ear the day before Saul came, saying, “Tomorrow about this time I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him commander over My people Israel, that he may save My people from the hand of the Philistines; for I have looked upon My people, because their cry has come to Me.”
1 Samuel 9:14-16

Notice how the prophet Samuel was a real spiritual leader; he had spiritual perception. Samuel knew how to wait and listen for the voice of the Lord.  God had given Samuel a word of knowledge. He had prepared his heart and told him exactly what to do. The Lord pinpointed the time when Saul would come to the city.  Samuel knew ahead of time Saul would be chosen as commander, even before he arrived.

The Lord heard the prayers of His people; they were complaining and crying out to God for a king. God gave instructions to Samuel. He was to anoint Saul as the commander over His people––king. Saul would be used of God to save His people from their enemies––the Philistines.

The anointing oil Samuel used spoke of Saul’s consecration of life. Saul was separated to the call of God. The Lord’s anointing on Saul’s life would help him accomplish God’s will as king. Samuel and Saul were two different leaders. Samuel as a prophet did exactly what God told him to do; he was obedient, whereas Saul, when he became king, would be full of excuses––disobedient.

The reason we get into so much trouble in our lives is because we do not have an ear of spiritual perception. We are not receiving or following instructions from God as we should. Some people may excuse themselves by thinking, Well, this is an example from the Old Testament––no––no––no––the entire Bible is the Word of God to adhere to.

To be entirely safe from the devil’s snares, the child of God must be completely obedient to the Word of the Lord. The driver on the highway is safe, not only when he reads the signs, but when he obeys them.
~A. W. Tozer~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!