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"God's Approval" by Gary Huff
1 Samuel 15:1 Sh’mu’el said to Sha’ul, “Adonai sent me to anoint you king over his people, over Isra’el. Now listen to what Adonai has to say. 2 Here is what Adonai-Tzva’ot says: ‘I remember what ‘Amalek did to Isra’el, how they fought against Isra’el when they were coming up from Egypt. 3 Now go and attack ‘Amalek, and completely destroy everything they have. Don’t spare them, but kill men and women, children and babies, cows and sheep, camels and donkeys.’”
4 Sha’ul summoned the people and reviewed them in T’la’im — 200,000 foot soldiers, with another 10,000 men from Y’hudah. 5 Sha’ul arrived at the city of ‘Amalek and lay in wait in the valley. 6 Sha’ul said to the Keni, “Go away, withdraw, leave your homes there with the ‘Amaleki. Otherwise, I might destroy you along with them, even though you were kind to all the people of Isra’el when they came out of Egypt. So the Keni went away from among the ‘Amaleki. 7 Then Sha’ul attacked ‘Amalek, starting at Havilah and continuing toward Shur, at the border of Egypt. 8 He took Agag the king of ‘Amalek alive; but he completely destroyed the people, putting them to the sword. 9 However, Sha’ul and the people spared Agag, along with the best of the sheep and cattle, and even the second best, also the lambs, and everything that was good — they weren’t inclined to destroy these things. But everything that was worthless or weak they completely destroyed.
10 Then the word of Adonai came to Sh’mu’el: 11 “I regret setting up Sha’ul as king, because he has turned back from following me and hasn’t obeyed my orders.” This made Sh’mu’el very sad, so that he cried to Adonai all night.
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I remember as a five-year-old child going to the grocery store with my mom. As children often do, I asked for candy when checking out. My mother told me I could have one item. I couldn’t decide between two items. I gave my mother one of the items and secretly placed the other item in my pocket. When we arrived home, I was so proud that I had figured out a way to get what I wanted that I shared the great news with my mother. You can imagine how unpleasant the following moments were as I had to return to the store and apologize to the manager and return the candy. My mother was not pleased, even though I thought I had figured out the secret to success in life.
There were no shortcuts with my mom, and there aren’t any with God. I wanted so much for my mom’s approval, but what I got was something more like shame. God wants us to do things His way. Saul found out much like I did that taking things into your own hands often ends in shame. God wants to approve us, so let’s do our part according to His plan.
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Hymn for Today: "Stepping in the Light" by Eliza E. Hewitt
1. Trying to walk in the steps of the Savior,
Trying to follow our Savior and king;
Shaping our lives by His blessèd example,
Happy, how happy, the songs that we bring.
Refrain:
How beautiful to walk in the steps of the Savior,
Stepping in the light, stepping in the light,
How beautiful to walk in the steps of the Savior,
Led in paths of light.
2. Pressing more closely to Him who is leading,
When we are tempted to turn from the way;
Trusting the arm that is strong to defend us,
Happy, how happy, our praises each day.
Refrain:
How beautiful to walk in the steps of the Savior,
Stepping in the light, stepping in the light,
How beautiful to walk in the steps of the Savior,
Led in paths of light.
3. Walking in footsteps of gentle forbearance,
Footsteps of faithfulness, mercy, and love,
Looking to Him for the grace freely promised,
Happy, how happy, our journey above.
Refrain:
How beautiful to walk in the steps of the Savior,
Stepping in the light, stepping in the light,
How beautiful to walk in the steps of the Savior,
Led in paths of light.
4. Trying to walk in the steps of the Savior,
Upward, still upward, we follow our guide;
When we shall see Him, the King in His beauty,
Happy, how happy, our place at His side.
Refrain:
How beautiful to walk in the steps of the Savior,
Stepping in the light, stepping in the light,
How beautiful to walk in the steps of the Savior,
Led in paths of light.
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Thought of the Day: Zechariah 1:3 Therefore, tell them that Adonai-Tzva’ot says this: ‘“Return to me,” says Adonai-Tzva’ot, “and I will return to you,” says Adonai-Tzva’ot.
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Please Pray: For the development of Christian leaders in Honduras.
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Please Pray: For the development of Christian leaders in Honduras.
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