I Samuel 9:18-21

I Samuel 9:18-21

Verse: 18 Saul approached Samuel in the gateway and asked, “Would you please tell me where the seer’s house is?”

19 “I am the seer,” Samuel replied. “Go up ahead of me to the high place, for today you are to eat with me, and in the morning I will send you on your way and will tell you all that is in your heart. 20 As for the donkeys you lost three days ago, do not worry about them; they have been found. And to whom is all the desire of Israel turned, if not to you and your whole family line?”

21 Saul answered, “But am I not a Benjamite, from the smallest tribe of Israel, and is not my clan the least of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why do you say such a thing to me?”

Title: Humility pays off

Message: God chooses and blesses the humble. This part of the book indicates humility as demonstrated by Samuel and Saul. The latter didn't recognize the former as a seer because there was no physical manifestation of the elder's being such.  In spite of the position God gave him, Samuel remained submissive and appeared before the men without escorts or any sign that will indicate his status. And Saul despite the fact that his father Kish was famous, the young man himself didn't consider himself worthy of the preferment.  Both exhibited meekness inside out, a quality which, apparently, made them deserving of God's blessings.

Promise to Claim: God knows each of His creation. He recognizes each of their qualities and chooses one whom He thinks deserves the post or the blessing.  As Psalm 37:11 indicates "But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace."

Command to Obey: God wants us to be meek. He wants us to demonstrate humility in all instances for us to have peace. He says, "Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (Matthew 11:29). 

Warning to Heed: Meekness as a quality is difficult to manifest and that we may do otherwise, thus the need for constant praying.

Application: God bestowed upon me the abilities and skills which He knew I need not only for my own survival but for others' benefit as well. All I have are my Father's, not mine. Thus, I don't have the right to brag. He wants me to be humble. He requires me to be submissive. Humility and submissiveness are characteristics which pose me the greatest of all challenges but these I must put into action, no matter what.