THURSDAY May 19, 2022
The God of Second Chances
Samuel also said to Saul, “The LORD sent me to anoint you king over His people, over Israel. Now therefore, heed the voice of the words of the LORD. Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘I will punish Amalek for what he did to Israel, how he ambushed him on the way when he came up from Egypt. Now go and attack Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and do not spare them. But kill both man and woman, infant and nursing child, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.’ ”
1 Samuel 15:1-3
God gave Saul another opportunity––a second chance to obey Him. His task was to destroy all the Amalekites because of their senseless and merciless surprise attack when Israel had not long escaped from Egypt (Exodus 17:8-16).
In just judgment, God wanted everyone––men, women and children––killed. He commanded every animal––ox, sheep, camel and donkey––also to be killed. They were to destroy and wipe out everything the Amalekites had. God’s command to Saul was very clear.
King Saul seemed to obey; he gathered his men together, but in his self-will and pride, he had already determined in his heart to disobey God. Saul failed to follow God’s orders; he rebelled, and in his stubbornness, he did not submit. The Kingdom of Israel was to be taken away from Saul and given to a better man––David, a man after God’s own heart. Listen to the recorded history of events written in the book of Acts:
“And afterward they [Israel] asked for a king; so God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. And when He had removed him [Saul], He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will’ ’ (Acts 13:21-22).
Who are you most like, Saul or David? It is important to have a good testimony. Ask the Lord to help you to become a man or woman after God’s own heart, someone who is dedicated to doing His will, not yours.
Do what the Lord bids you, where he bids you, as he bids you, as long as he bids you, and do it at once.
~C.H. Spurgeon~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
