23rd October 2023

23rd October 2023


Pray (ACts)


Read -1 Samuel 16:1-13 (focus 1-5)


Message Alan Burke 


I wonder when was the last time that we were grieved and I mean more than just momentarily upset by the sin of someone close to us or someone we know? It may have happened when you have witnessed something or something maybe has been said to you or you hear on the grape vine and your heart stings are pulled and you are left upset, grieving because of what has happened. Here we learn that Samuel is grieving for Saul, it is how chapter 15 finished and how chapter 16 continues. It’s not that Saul is just slightly annoyed or has just been inconvenienced, rather he was grieving and the reason is because that Saul had rejected the Lord. Saul’s rejection of the Lord had left Samuel as a broken man and was left grieving over Saul and his failure. 


In truth it none of this was Samuel’s fault, yet he was still burdened with it and while Saul may have looked the part in the beginning especially to the people, being everything that they wanted in a king, his reign had already showed that it was going to be train wreck. The Lord gave the people what they wanted, but none of them, Samuel, nor Saul nor the people could have imagined how it would all end yet the Lord knew and was working in it. The issue is that no matter how it looked on the outside, no matter how Saul was a handsome man as could be found anywhere in Israel, and he was a head taller than anyone else (9:2), was that Saul lacked what really mattered he did not have a heart for God. While he had been given by God everything he needed to be a good king, to rule over the people, for God had called him, anointed him, equipped him, given him spiritual council in Samuel at his side, being set up for success with everything he needed, and while the early signs were promising Saul in all of it was never going to be the right man to lead Israel for he lacked a heard after God. 


The thing is that Samuel knew all of this, he knew, yet as we begin chapter 16, where the focus is changing from the rejected king to the king after the Lord’s own heart and still he is mourning over Saul. Notice what happens as the LORD speaks, he rebukes Samuel for his mourning, on one hand Samuel’s grieving is justified but he has failed to trust in the purposes of God. While there was much to mourn about, Samuel should have known that the LORD God was still providently in control of all that was taking place. As the Lord speaks this is what is conveyed to Samuel and while he is rebuked for his mourning in what the Lord says to him it is an assurance that he is still at work in it all, for he had provided  for at work and he assures him in it all, for the good news that He chosen one to be king. This wasn’t a king of the peoples choosing, this wasn’t a king that would be like the king of the nations around this would be the LORD’s king. 


This is as far as we are going today as such, for there is something I want to draw out of this for us. Firstly, do we mourn the sin of those around us, do we mourn it, is it something that prompts us to bring them before the Lord in prayer, or are we those who mourn or are grieved more when the sports team that we follow are struggling in the league, when the weather is dire, when our pay hasn’t risen in line with inflation? Because if that’s a case it is flagging up an issue that there is something wrong with your heart. Secondly even in the midst of our grief at sin we also need to know that the Lord is sovereignly working out his purposes in the midst of God and we need to trust those purposes. Like Samuel there comes a point that if our grief distracts us from the reality of the sovereignty of our God who is working out his purposes in all things then we likewise have an issue. Our God by his providence was at work. God’s providence is his continual care and direction over all that he has created, just as we continue to care for our homes the Lord God continues to be. I’ll leave you with the words of Jesus, for he said; “blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted”. When he said this he was speaking about people who grieved from a heavenly perspective, (Mt 5:4). Grief is the necessary and correct response but it shouldn’t lead us to despair, doubting in the LORD fearful of people, for the LORD is in control. 


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC
Q77 What is required in the ninth commandment?
The ninth commandment requireth the maintaining and promoting of truth between man and man, (Zech. 8:16) and of our own and our neighbour’ s good name, (3 John 12) especially in witness-bearing. (Prov. 14:5,25)
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