SCRIPTURE:
“Then the word of the Lord came to Samuel: “I regret that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions.”
1 Samuel 15:10-11
OBSERVATION:
Saul began his journey as King on the right and righteous path, with a grand calling, and victorious reign; only to let His self-interests, power, authority, and lack of Godly character, change His heart, turning him away from God and obedience.
APPLICATION:
This is such a key caution to me as one who is called as a pastor, shepherd, and leader, working and serving in ministry or any organization; and not letting power, position, authority, success, self-interest, and sin change me and/or my character that God seeded into me and calls me to maintain in serving Him. We’ve witnessed great pastors who were called and blessed with growth and success, fall from grace, often in sin. I often wonder how they could have been so deceived by the enemy to lose their way. Then I remember how easy it is to let the flesh and fame take hold of one’s heart. I must always be on guard for the enemy and how he will try to “steal, kill, and destroy” through deceit and devious ways to entrap, entangle, and eliminate ministers in their calling. If the enemy can take out a pastor, it has the potential to take out a whole ministry of people.
PRAYER:
Dear Lord, thank you for the great heart and pride check for me to stay humble, not get caught up in the gift and stewardship or authority; but to keep my eye on Jesus, His Word, His way and the assignment before me. May I always seek to study and live by your Word.
