Two Different Animals

1 Samuel 9:3 And the asses of Kish Saul’s father were lost. And Kish said to Saul his son, Take now one of the servants with thee, and arise, go seek the asses.

1 Chronicles 17:7 Now therefore thus shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, even from following the sheep, that thou shouldest be ruler over my people Israel:

Here are two verses about two leaders. One who would follow the other in ministry. You instantly think of their similarities. They both were from simple families. A quiet lowly existence was theirs until the man of God showed up with a bottle of oil to anoint and a message from God. These young men who would be leaders both had their beginning in agriculture. Were they the Future Farmers of Israel? They were to be future farmers but guiding and leading God’s people. 

Yet these verses create their own contrast, do they not? Consider the animals David and Saul worked with. Saul – Keeper of the Donkeys. David – Keeper of Sheep. What we do growing up affects our philosophy in life later. For some, it is a positive change and yet for others, it is negative. No, all futures are not imprisoned by the deeds and duties of a youth. But they do have an impact. 

Sheep and Donkeys -  they are two totally different animals. You raise them differently. Neither is smart. However, where sheep are stupid, donkeys are stubborn. One requires a hard heart; the other, a gentle heart. One demands a hand that will beat; the other, a hand that will guide. 

Consider what happened to David and Saul’s ministries. You can see where their formative years in the school of leadership in the pastures could have influenced how they led God’s people. 

Yet the message rings clearest in my mind when I consider this last thought. God had to give Saul “another heart.” Yet David was a man “after God’s own heart.” 

Take heed; the influences of our yesterdays tend to affect our tomorrows. 

Remember When?

1 Samuel 15:17-19 And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel? And the LORD sent thee on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed. Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the LORD, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the LORD

Have you ever known someone who made it to the “big time” and forgot his old friends, neighborhood, and even his upbringing? You know the routine. Your “Old Friend” strikes it good and forgets anything that may drag him back to the reality of his former relationships and routine. You almost wish you could see him and say, “Remember when?”

Samuel is God’s man and messenger. Samuel has a “Remember when?” message from God for Saul. Saul had made the “big time.” God had taken him from just a simple farmer and made him into a leader of his people. Yet Saul had begun to think that this newly found fame and fortune had been obtained on his own and without divine intervention. 

Samuel asks him a multipart question. The question reveals God’s view of this man. The questions are designed to deflate the super ego of this man intoxicated on the drink of pride. Clearly the verses reveal God’s dissatisfaction with Saul. The most telling part of the question is when God asks him to remember when he was little in his own sight.

God forced Saul to consider there was a day when he viewed himself as he really was: a farmer called by God to be a leader. God forced him to see that Saul saw himself now as big. “Too Big” to obey God’s rules. “Too Big” for God’s righteousness. “Too Big” for God routine. 

How do you see yourself? It takes great discipline, surrender, and yielding to remain little in our own eyes. Fight the temptation to think that the blessings of God come because you are so wonderful. God’s blessings come because He is so wonderful. The only thing our goodness has ever merited was filthy rags and Hell. Strive to remain little in your own eyes!

His Peculiar Treasure

Exodus 19:5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:

As children, my siblings and I needed frequent reminders of the importance of obedience. Many times, we knew what to do. We even knew when to do it. Yet we would choose a path that was not always best. 

Our parents wanted us to listen to them when they spoke. They wanted us to follow everything they asked us to do. They expected we would live the way they asked us to live. Our obedience strengthened our relationship with our parents. Our value as their obedient children increased.

Our focus verse today paints a picture in which we see the Father of Israel and a son named Moses. The Father’s words to his son are clear. Moses heard he was to obey God’s voice and keep my covenant. His obedience brought a result in his relationship with God. God told him, “When you do these things, you will be a peculiar treasure to Me.”

The expression peculiar treasure explains God’s high view of obedience. The word peculiar is also translated in other places in the Old Testament. It is see in English as proper, special, and as jewels. God’s high value on obedience should change my value on obedience. 

If you are a child of God, you must remember God is your Father. God desires obedience as do our earthly parents. He wants us to listen to Him when He speaks. He wants us to obey what He says. He wants us to live according to His ways.

The very thought that I could be perceived as a special treasure, a proper person, and a jewel to God makes me want to do what He asks. 

Will you be a peculiar treasure to Him today?

His Word in my Heart

Deuteronomy 6:6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart.

I can remember as a boy, I owned a toy box. Inside this toy box were treasures to be rediscovered on any given day when the whims of exploration swept across my young mind. On those days of exploration, I would discover Legos, GI Joe men and their uniforms, puzzle pieces, binoculars and much more. 

Each one had a way of evoking memories of the day I received them. I would then strive to recapture that same emotion in my playing with them again. My toy box was really a box of treasures. I knew I had these toys but I just had not been using them for a while. 

The Lord gave Moses His words. They were His statutes, laws, and commandments. Moses told them, “...these words shall be in your heart.” 

Consider this precious truth: His word in our heart. What a precious treasure to explore! His word is a lamp to our feet. His word is light to our paths. His word in our heart is the barrier between sin and us. Oh, that we would take the time to explore His word and deposit them in the treasure box of our hearts.

When last did you have a day of exploration in his word?

All Things Beautiful

Ecclesiastes 3:11  He hath made everything beautiful in his time: also, he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. 

Last week, I walked over to my neighbor’s house and viewed his rose garden. He was out of town and I wanted to send him a few pictures. I noted the beauty of this one bush and its white blossoms. 

I remember when he brought these bushes home and planted them. I recall the green leaves and thorns. I remember what they looked like this past winter: so bleak and even dead looking. I recall his trimming them as winter approached.

However, given the weather and the hand of God, the roses are radiant and glorious. It is amazing what happens when the seasons change and the clock of God moves. 

If dead wood and thorns can radiate this beauty in His time, how beautiful will you and I be in His time? Don’t concern yourself with how you look today! God has your beautiful moment in the works; it is in His time.

Who Lights Your Candle?

Psalms 18:28 For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.

The unlit room contained darkness you could feel. The oppressiveness of the darkness could hardly be described. It was as if you were crippled by its presence. Fear laid hold on the occupants of this darkness. 

Suddenly, a sound of a match against an abrasive surface was heard! In a brief moment, a candle’s flame chased away the darkness. Darkness’ chains dropped and liberty was found in the candle’s warm glow. The one who lit the candle was embraced and thanked for his effort. His light brought liberty and showed the way out of darkness.

In life, we have moments of crippling fear while in a place of darkness. We long for the liberty of light and specific direction out of the place we are held. 

In my studying the Word of God this morning, I came across this verse. It struck me as I read it. When faced with the uncertainty that is bred in darkness, realize this truth. The believer is never alone in this darkness. God will light your candle! He will turn darkness into light.  God alone has the direction and liberty we need.

Has darkness seized you for the moment? Do you long for light? Who lights your candle? Any attempt to light our own candle will lead to frustration. Ask God to light your candle and point the way out of this chamber to where He needs you.