When we come to the end of King Saul’s life, we are reminded that even though he started well, he did not finish well. His life ended in tragedy because he allowed his sin to continue to reign in his heart. Let’s use this reminder to help us today to stay on the road of obedience that will end in a life well-lived, and pleasing to God.
The Dangers of Discouragement
November 27, 2022 • John Anderson • 1 Samuel 27, 1 Samuel 29
David experienced what you and I have no doubt experienced in our life - discouragement. It begins in our heart when we don’t wait on the Lord and begin to take matters into our own hands. Satan uses discouragement to get us to doubt God’s care and provision and His good heart toward us. This discouragement came just about the time that God was going to exalt him to the throne of Israel, but David failed the test and made some very poor decisions.
Playing The Fool
November 27, 2022 • John Anderson • 1 Samuel 28
The word “fool” is used in the Holy Scriptures most often to describe one who has disregarded God’s Word in his life. Numerous passages in 1 Samuel have shown us just how king Saul played the fool by ignoring the commands of God and pursuing headlong his own selfish endeavors. As a result, he finished his life poorly. Don’t settle for what the devil offers!
Are You A Reactor or a Responder?
November 13, 2022 • John Anderson • 1 Samuel 25
Suffering Like A King
October 23, 2022 • John Anderson
The Pain of Panicking
October 16, 2022 • John Anderson • 1 Samuel 22, 1 Samuel 20, 1 Samuel 21
Even David, a “man after God’s own heart”, had his weaknesses and moments of fear. Often when God allows tests and trials to come into our lives we panic. When we do we are saying, “I can’t trust God to handle this situation.” Our panic will always bring repercussions that harm ourselves and others.
Defended By a Greater King
October 9, 2022 • John Anderson • 1 Samuel 19
The insanity of King Saul trying to kill David, God’s choice for Israel’s next king, is one of scriptures’ saddest stories. However, in the narrative we find many principles for life’s trouble. God is for you and is holding you safe! Trust Him and yield to His will in the difficulties.
Keeping It Together When Others Are Falling Apart
September 25, 2022 • John Anderson • 1 Samuel 18
The Hero We Need
September 18, 2022 • John Anderson • 1 Samuel 16:14–23, 1 Samuel 17
Great heros are born for great moments. David seemed like the most unlikely candidate to face the Philistine giant Goliath, but his trust in the Lord God was resolute. He cared more about the name of the Lord than his own safety. Our hero, the Lord Jesus Christ, also trusted in His Father to win the battle over sin, death and hell. Today He is helping us defeat our goliaths!
Man Sees and God Sees; But Man Does Not See What God Sees.
September 11, 2022 • John Anderson • 1 Samuel 16, Deuteronomy 32:4
Losing Our Way
September 4, 2022 • John Anderson • 1 Samuel 15:16–35, 2 Corinthians 7:8–10
The Lord has a path laid out for each of His children, a journey for us to travel in His will. King Saul got off the path of God and it cost him dearly. What are the warning signs that reveal to us that we’ve lost our way?
Three Decisions That Lost A WAR
August 28, 2022 • John Anderson • James 4:1–10, 1 Samuel 15
King Saul won a battle with Israel’s enemy, but lost the spiritual war with himself. Reading this passage with spiritual eyes will reveal the steps he took in disobedience to God’s revealed will. Partial obedience is total rebellion!
Courageously Climbing Together
August 21, 2022 • John Anderson • 1 Samuel 14:1–23
At this point in the 1 Samuel narrative, Saul is spiraling downward spiritually while Jonathan is climbing. What is it that keeps us pursuing the impossible by faith? We will never see what God can do if we only focus on what we cannot do.
What Might Have Been
August 14, 2022 • John Anderson • 1 Samuel 13:14—14:52
Acting On Your Own
August 7, 2022 • John Anderson • Psalm 27, 1 Samuel 13
How often in our impatience, our lack of faith, and our stubbornness do we act on our own outside of God’s will? In this passage we see Saul acting on his own and offering sacrifices instead of waiting on Samuel to arrive. God was showing Israel who they really were in requiring a king like all of the other nations! We can be self-willed and war, or Spirit-filled and wait.
