Pastor Marshall Ochs | June 4, 2023
In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from 1 Samuel 15-16. These chapters record the continued dismantling of Saul’s kingdom and the anointing of Saul’s replacement. The new king is a young man named David who is described as a neighbor of Saul, but better than Saul. The Lord regrets making Saul king and this story uncovers Saul’s sin and a powerful sermon from Samuel on the importance of obedience over sacrifice.
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Monday: Read 1 Samuel 15
When we rely solely on our limited human understanding, the instructions given to us by God can often leave us feeling confused, frustrated, or scared. These emotions can lead us to attempt negotiations or only partially follow His plan.
In 1 Samuel 15:3, the prophet Samuel relayed God's explicit command to Saul: "Attack the Amalekites and utterly destroy all that belongs to them." However, only a few verses later, we discover that Saul and his men obeyed only part of the Lord's instructions. Instead of carrying out complete destruction, they spared Agag, the king of the Amalekites, and kept the best of the livestock, including sheep, cattle, and other valuable possessions.
Reflecting upon your own experiences, consider a time when you obeyed God's command, even when it didn't make sense or frightened you. How did you feel during that period? What were the outcomes of your obedience? Now, in the present moment, what is God asking you to do? How will you respond to His call?
Tuesday: Read 1 Samuel 15, Psalm 40, Jeremiah 7:21-23 & Hebrews 10:8-9
Will you spend time asking the Holy Spirit to reveal if there are any areas you are not walking in complete obedience?
Wednesday: Read 1 Samuel 16
Like Samuel, we tend to judge others solely based on outward appearance; instead, we should focus on discerning God's heart and mind when perceiving individuals. While everyone can see our faces, only God knows the true nature of our hearts. Is your heart aligned with God’s desires?
Thursday: Read 1 Samuel 16
Have you ever experienced instances of ineffective leadership? When faced with serving under such leaders, many of us often seek ways to escape from the situation. Instead, however, we should seek guidance from God and be open to what lessons He wants to teach us.
Friday: Read 1 Samuel 17-18