Circumstances can be so overwhelming to the point of wanting to give up or give in. So what are we to do with God who promises victory?

Saul has been anointed be prince over Israel, but nothing much has changed. He’s still working the farm and their enemies still threaten. Nahash and the Ammonites demand servitude, and a treaty at the cost of the right eye of the inhabitants of Jabesh. The people are prepared to accept the offer, but are given 7 days to weigh their options and weep. But Saul the Holy Spirit empowers Saul by who cuts up a pair of oxen into 12 pieces and sends them to the 12 tribes as a muster to fight back. The people in turn are empowered by the dread of the Lord, and an army of 330,000 men destroys the Ammonite army. God gives victory to Israel, who celebrates with a renewal of their commitment to the kingdom of God. This pattern of experience is repeated in our lives today. Enemies threaten us individually and as a church. We can give up and concede, give in and weep, or choose to live the life we are called to despite our circumstances. With the Spirit to empower us, we can trust that God gives victory to his people through Jesus Christ.

Circumstances can be so overwhelming to the point of wanting to give up or give in. So what are we to do with God who promises victory?

Saul has been anointed be prince over Israel, but nothing much has changed. He’s still working the farm and their enemies still threaten. Nahash and the Ammonites demand servitude, and a treaty at the cost of the right eye of the inhabitants of Jabesh. The people are prepared to accept the offer, but are given 7 days to weigh their options and weep. But Saul the Holy Spirit empowers Saul by who cuts up a pair of oxen into 12 pieces and sends them to the 12 tribes as a muster to fight back. The people in turn are empowered by the dread of the Lord, and an army of 330,000 men destroys the Ammonite army. God gives victory to Israel, who celebrates with a renewal of their commitment to the kingdom of God. This pattern of experience is repeated in our lives today. Enemies threaten us individually and as a church. We can give up and concede, give in and weep, or choose to live the life we are called to despite our circumstances. With the Spirit to empower us, we can trust that God gives victory to his people through Jesus Christ.

Beautiful story and something we can all relate to. Saul is anointed by Samuel and is going to be king. Before he leaves for home, Samuel gives him a sign to look for. Multiple signs, in fact. Ludicrously specific signs. All happen and Saul has a new heart. But, the transplant seems to be taking its time in taking hold, at least according to Saul's coming actions. The big moment comes, and Saul, in a weird move plays hide and seek - with God. Saul loses.

Saul is going to need help with the whole king gig. In the end, we see that God provides a group of men whose hearts are for God, mighty men.

Beautiful story and something we can all relate to. Saul is anointed by Samuel and is going to be king. Before he leaves for home, Samuel gives him a sign to look for. Multiple signs, in fact. Ludicrously specific signs. All happen and Saul has a new heart. But, the transplant seems to be taking its time in taking hold, at least according to Saul's coming actions. The big moment comes, and Saul, in a weird move plays hide and seek - with God. Saul loses.

Saul is going to need help with the whole king gig. In the end, we see that God provides a group of men whose hearts are for God, mighty men.

God’s providence extends beyond ministry and church. In fact, God is at work in every

aspect of our lives even when we can’t see his hand, it is there. We often say that God

is sovereign, but we struggle to see the interwoven moments of His Providence in the

mundane daily routines of life. Whether we are chasing donkeys over the countryside,

folding laundry for the hundredth time or working in a thankless job, God is moving.

The question is are we fighting Him or moving with Him?

God’s providence extends beyond ministry and church. In fact, God is at work in every

aspect of our lives even when we can’t see his hand, it is there. We often say that God

is sovereign, but we struggle to see the interwoven moments of His Providence in the

mundane daily routines of life. Whether we are chasing donkeys over the countryside,

folding laundry for the hundredth time or working in a thankless job, God is moving.

The question is are we fighting Him or moving with Him?

The desire to be like the world is as old as time. But God tells us we are strangers and aliens in this world, and to be conformed to his image instead, serving and worshipping him alone.

Samuel is old and the people approach him with a succession plan, namely that he should give them a king like all the other nations. This displeases both Samuel and God, not because wanting a king was bad but because of their motive. Their desire to be like the nations instead of God’s holy people was another rejection of God. God had saved them again and again, had provided leadership for them through his appointed judges, even his very presence was with them — but they wanted another layer of middle-management. God chose to give them what they wanted in order to teach an important lesson: Only God’s rule will never let you down. The world preaches a different message, trying to indoctrinate us to conform to its standards. But the Bible teaches us to be transformed in how we think and to offer ourselves completely to God (Rom 12:1-2). When Jesus came in flesh, he too was rejected (Jn 19:15) because he didn’t fit the pattern of this world. He came not to be served, but to serve (Mt 20:28) and give himself away. The world and its kings are takers, God alone is a righteous king that gives more than he takes.

The desire to be like the world is as old as time. But God tells us we are strangers and aliens in this world, and to be conformed to his image instead, serving and worshipping him alone.

Samuel is old and the people approach him with a succession plan, namely that he should give them a king like all the other nations. This displeases both Samuel and God, not because wanting a king was bad but because of their motive. Their desire to be like the nations instead of God’s holy people was another rejection of God. God had saved them again and again, had provided leadership for them through his appointed judges, even his very presence was with them — but they wanted another layer of middle-management. God chose to give them what they wanted in order to teach an important lesson: Only God’s rule will never let you down. The world preaches a different message, trying to indoctrinate us to conform to its standards. But the Bible teaches us to be transformed in how we think and to offer ourselves completely to God (Rom 12:1-2). When Jesus came in flesh, he too was rejected (Jn 19:15) because he didn’t fit the pattern of this world. He came not to be served, but to serve (Mt 20:28) and give himself away. The world and its kings are takers, God alone is a righteous king that gives more than he takes.

We can never experience victory and peace in life without God’s help. But God won’t share his glory with idols or tolerate our half-hearted worship either.

As judge and prophet, Samuel spends 20 years preaching a sermon of repentance to God’s people.The call is for them to return to the Lord with all their hearts, put away idols, direct their hearts to God and serve him only. The emphasis on the heart is striking. Presumedly, this sermon is a regular part of Samuel’s circuit and it culminates in Israel's response, gathering to repent at Mizpah. The Philistines see the gathering as a threat and prepare to attack. Fearful Israel begs Samuel to intercede in prayer for them and he does so, after sacrificing a lamb to atone for their sins. God responds, thundering with a mighty sound and throwing the Philistines into confusion, allowing Israel to pursue and defeat them. The victory produces peace and restoration of lost territory. We see foreshadows of Jesus and the Gospel in Samuel's preaching, intercession, and atonement, which all lead to victory. Samuel raises a memorial stone called Ebenezer, which means “stone of help.” Interestingly he says, “till now the Lord has helped us,” implying that faith is still required for the future. The main point of the message for us is that there is no victory without repentance. That is true for past victories and will be the same for future battles.

We can never experience victory and peace in life without God’s help. But God won’t share his glory with idols or tolerate our half-hearted worship either.

As judge and prophet, Samuel spends 20 years preaching a sermon of repentance to God’s people.The call is for them to return to the Lord with all their hearts, put away idols, direct their hearts to God and serve him only. The emphasis on the heart is striking. Presumedly, this sermon is a regular part of Samuel’s circuit and it culminates in Israel's response, gathering to repent at Mizpah. The Philistines see the gathering as a threat and prepare to attack. Fearful Israel begs Samuel to intercede in prayer for them and he does so, after sacrificing a lamb to atone for their sins. God responds, thundering with a mighty sound and throwing the Philistines into confusion, allowing Israel to pursue and defeat them. The victory produces peace and restoration of lost territory. We see foreshadows of Jesus and the Gospel in Samuel's preaching, intercession, and atonement, which all lead to victory. Samuel raises a memorial stone called Ebenezer, which means “stone of help.” Interestingly he says, “till now the Lord has helped us,” implying that faith is still required for the future. The main point of the message for us is that there is no victory without repentance. That is true for past victories and will be the same for future battles.