Trusting in God\'s Empowerment
Trusting in God’s Empowerment
Read1 Sam 10:17-11:14
“Then the Spirit of God came upon Saul mightily when he heard these words.”
Despite the warnings of God, the people of Israel desired to be like other nations and have their own king. Israel originally was to be a theocracy in which God would rule over the nation and provide for them. Yet the Israelites wanted to be like the other nations around them who had a king. Consequently, God relented. God directed Samuel to anoint Saul to be their king in response to their request. From a human perspective, he was the right choice. He was “a choice and handsome man, and there was not a more handsome person than he among the sons of Israel; from his shoulders and up, he was taller than any of the people” (9:2). When we look for leaders, we look at their portfolio rather than their character. When called upon to be their king, we find Saul “hiding himself by the baggage.” Hardly the dynamic, brave leader fit to lead a nation.
What Saul needed to learn is that the power and ability to lead a nation does not come from our human qualifications; it comes from the empowerment of God. In his own strength, Saul was timid and fearful. So how can such a man lead the nation? The answer lies in 11:6. The power and ability to perform his duties does not come from within himself, it comes from the empowerment and strength of God. Because of God’s empowerment, Saul was able to lead the nation into battle and give the victory.
When confronted with the challenges of life, we often look to our own strength and ability. We trust in our education, in our wisdom, in our skills. However, the empowerment for life does not come from ourselves; it comes from God. When we rely upon our own strength, we will inevitably confront situations that bring fear and apprehension. Instead of trusting in ourselves, we need to recognize that the ability comes from God. As Paul rightly points out, “I can do all things through him (Christ) who strengthens me.”
Yet in the life of Saul, we also find a warning. Instead of continuing to trust God when we are triumphant, we can start to take credit for ourselves. We begin to attribute our success to our own abilities. This is what Saul did. In chapter 15, when God gave him the victory, he disobeyed God’s commands and allowed Agag to live as his “trophy” of his victory over the Amalekites. In the end, he was more concerned about the honor of the people than the honor of God (see 15:30). In the end, because of his disobedience, the Holy Spirit departed from Saul and no longer empowered him. (18:12). Consequently, at the end of his life, he manifested the same paranoia and fear that marked his beginning.
It is easy in our Christian life to start to look at ourselves and our strength to confront the challenges we face in life. We only turn to God when we face situations beyond our control. But to live by faith and trust involves trusting God and looking for his strength in every circumstance and situation. When we trust ourselves, we will be plagued by fear and apprehension. When we trust in God, we discover hope and confidence because we know God guides and empowers us for his purpose.
Read1 Sam 10:17-11:14
“Then the Spirit of God came upon Saul mightily when he heard these words.”
Despite the warnings of God, the people of Israel desired to be like other nations and have their own king. Israel originally was to be a theocracy in which God would rule over the nation and provide for them. Yet the Israelites wanted to be like the other nations around them who had a king. Consequently, God relented. God directed Samuel to anoint Saul to be their king in response to their request. From a human perspective, he was the right choice. He was “a choice and handsome man, and there was not a more handsome person than he among the sons of Israel; from his shoulders and up, he was taller than any of the people” (9:2). When we look for leaders, we look at their portfolio rather than their character. When called upon to be their king, we find Saul “hiding himself by the baggage.” Hardly the dynamic, brave leader fit to lead a nation.
What Saul needed to learn is that the power and ability to lead a nation does not come from our human qualifications; it comes from the empowerment of God. In his own strength, Saul was timid and fearful. So how can such a man lead the nation? The answer lies in 11:6. The power and ability to perform his duties does not come from within himself, it comes from the empowerment and strength of God. Because of God’s empowerment, Saul was able to lead the nation into battle and give the victory.
When confronted with the challenges of life, we often look to our own strength and ability. We trust in our education, in our wisdom, in our skills. However, the empowerment for life does not come from ourselves; it comes from God. When we rely upon our own strength, we will inevitably confront situations that bring fear and apprehension. Instead of trusting in ourselves, we need to recognize that the ability comes from God. As Paul rightly points out, “I can do all things through him (Christ) who strengthens me.”
Yet in the life of Saul, we also find a warning. Instead of continuing to trust God when we are triumphant, we can start to take credit for ourselves. We begin to attribute our success to our own abilities. This is what Saul did. In chapter 15, when God gave him the victory, he disobeyed God’s commands and allowed Agag to live as his “trophy” of his victory over the Amalekites. In the end, he was more concerned about the honor of the people than the honor of God (see 15:30). In the end, because of his disobedience, the Holy Spirit departed from Saul and no longer empowered him. (18:12). Consequently, at the end of his life, he manifested the same paranoia and fear that marked his beginning.
It is easy in our Christian life to start to look at ourselves and our strength to confront the challenges we face in life. We only turn to God when we face situations beyond our control. But to live by faith and trust involves trusting God and looking for his strength in every circumstance and situation. When we trust ourselves, we will be plagued by fear and apprehension. When we trust in God, we discover hope and confidence because we know God guides and empowers us for his purpose.
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