Even when God calls you to a dangerous future He will be with you

Even when God calls you to a dangerous future He will be with you

Samuel the Leader

Over three thousand years ago Samuel played an important role in the history of the Jews. He was critical in the transition from local tribal leaders and ad hoc judges to a permanent kingship.

His infertile mother prayed for him and when he was a boy she gave him back to God as a servant to the aged High Priest, Eli. He grew before the people and they respected him. When God judged the lax Eli and his corrupt sons Samuel led the spiritual life of the nation. He united the nation militarily to defeat the Philistines. (1 Samuel 1-4)

As he aged his own sons were corrupt and the Jews asked Samuel to give them a king like the other nations. (1 Samuel 8)

A king would give the Jews central, permanent, secure leadership. Samuel reminded them that God had used the system of judges and temporary leaders to lead them in the Promised Land for over three hundred years. But the people were insistent. God told Samuel to follow their wishes and he anointed the first two kings.

Samuel was called do the hard thing

Samuel anointed Saul as the first king of the Jews. He disobeyed God commands. When God rejected him his moods became darker and he was prone to dangerous violent outbursts.

God told Samuel to anoint David as Saul’s replacement. Saul was still on the throne but his kingship would end and David would succeed him. (1 Samuel 16:1-13)

Samuel told God that he was afraid that Saul would kill him if he did this. God told him to do it and that He would be with him and show him what to do. God guaranteed his presence during Samuel’s risky obedience. (1 Samuel 16:3)

Samuel was part of a great failure

Saul’s reign was a failure and God called Samuel to be part of that failure. It was clear that Saul was responsible. Even so Samuel assured the failed king that he would pray for him.

Samuel would be part of a great but not perfect success

Samuel anointed King David. David’s line will last forever when his descendant Jesus, the Messianic King, will reign in the future. (1 Samuel 16:1-13; 2 Samuel 7)

David restored true worship. God promised David that his son, Solomon, would build a great temple for the true worship of the true God. David gave political stability to the Jews. His armies were successful. The nation was secure.

However, David was not perfect. He stole Uriah’s wife and had him killed when he did not cooperate in David’s plan to cover his adultery. (2 Samuel 11-12)

God would be with Samuel

God’s assurance to Samuel was simple and powerful. When he anointed David to be king instead of Saul God would be with him. (1Samuel 6)

In another post, I wrote about Abraham. When God asked him to leave his homeland and family and when he asked him to sacrifice Isaac God promised to be with him. (Genesis 12:1-3; 22:1-19)

The presence of God makes all the difference in the world.

When have you had to commit to a risky obedience?

Have you even encouraged someone else who face this type of choice?