1 Samuel 28

Scripture1 Samuel 28:17b-18aThe Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hands and given it to one of your neighbors—to David. ¹⁸ Because you did not obey the Lord…Observation - What does it say?Because Saul was unable to hear from God, he turned to another source for guidance: a medium. This woman, through demonic powers, would summon someone from the dead for Saul to speak with. A practice that God had clearly forbidden. Once Samuel was summoned, he declared that God had fulfilled his promise to take the kingdom from Saul because of his disobedience.Understanding - What does it mean?It is possible to fall short of God’s plan for our lives.Chapter 13 reveals God's intended plan for Saul:1 Samuel 13:13-14a ¹³ “You have done a foolish thing,” Samuel said. “You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. ¹⁴ But now your kingdom will not endure…It was clear that God’s intention was to establish Saul’s kingdom over Israel for all time. If he kept God's command, Saul would always have a descendent on the throne and ultimately Jesus would have come from the line of Saul. However, his disobedience to God’s command led to him missing out. The kingdom was now being stripped from him and his family and being given to David.I used to think that if God gave a prophetic word or dream about what he intended to do through a person, church or ministry, it would be automatic. God would make it happen regardless of if we ran from it or worked for it. But this shows that we have a role to play in the fulfillment of those prophetic words. God has a plan for every person. But it’s up to us to seek God to reveal his plan, and then pursue it.Life ApplicationWhat does it look like for me to pursue God’s plan for my life today? In this season?God, we want to experience the fullness of what you intend for us! Please, in your mercy and your grace, help us to experience all you desire us to. May we live completely surrendered to you, fully yielded to the Holy Spirit. For those of us who are drifting, bring us back. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen.

To check out the discussion or to join in click here.

 

- Levi Thompson