1 Samuel 11:1-15

Trials, threats and even the attacks of our enemies are often used by God to bring about His will in our lives and make us grow.  This is true of us as individual as well as a nation.  In today’s passage Saul has already been anointed and presented as king in Israel.  However, some of the people were divided within the nation and it seems that Saul himself is not too sure what he should be doing as king so he is out plowing in the fields.  Nothing against plowing, but it seems that there were more urgent matters at hand for the king to handle.  The Ammonites are concerned by the rumors they hear about a new king so they come on the attack and their conditions of surrender are hideous.  This threat becomes a rallying point for Saul and the nation and wakes everyone up to the reality of their situation.  God used the trial to unify and focus His people once again.

THE PURPOSE OF ADVERSITY: None of us likes to face adversity in our lives.  We much prefer to be comfortable and safe.  There are many times that we become complacent with things the way that they are when the reality is that we are very far from where God wants us to be.  When this happens, God will often use adversity to alert us to the fact that we are not in a good situation and that we desperately need to make changes in our lives.  Nobody likes to have someone threaten us with having one of our eyes gouged out.  We are usually fonder of our eyes than we are of our comfort.  So God used this adversity as a wakeup call to the nation that they were in danger and that they had become complacent about God’s call to conquer the Promised Land.  If we want to avoid adversity one of the best ways is to avoid complacency in our walk with God and our work for His kingdom.

THE POWER OF UNITY: When the message of the threat reached to the people of Israel there was a general state of distress and panic.  When Saul found out about this threat; God burned into his heart a passion that propelled him to take drastic measures to call the people together.  Saul knew that this was something that he could not do alone but that the nation as a whole under the power and direction of God could make a difference.   When we face adversity one of the most important things for us to remember is that we are not alone.  We must learn to share our difficulties with the Body of Christ that is around us and realize that there is great power in unity when we come together.  Isolation and independence are very dangerous and are often used as a means of destroying or distracting believers.  God calls us to be united together under the headship of Christ to do the will of God and promote the kingdom of God.

THE PLEASURE OF VICTORY: Once the people came together and attacked the Ammonites God gave them the victory.  The people were set free and there was a great celebration.  Saul had lead the people forward in a united effort to set the people free and the enemy was now on the run.  This was a time of great joy and relief.  There were some who wanted to take vengeance on those people who had been critical of Saul’s appointment as king, but Saul would have nothing of it.  This was time to celebrate as God had given them a great victory.  Samuel once again established Saul as king and reestablishes Israel as an independent and free nation under Saul’s leadership.  It is important for us to remember to be thankful and celebrate the victories that the Lord gives to us.  Too often we go from one worry to the next without taking the time to worship God and thank Him for His provision of victory in our lives.  God is pleased when we celebrate His victories in our lives.