By Andrew Stoddard
When I think of Saul, I tend to remember him as the man who ultimately failed to fulfill his responsibilities as Israel’s first king. One of my first recollections is of him mercilessly pursuing David and his compatriots through the wilderness, which makes a compelling backdrop for many of the psalms. But today’s reading gives us a different glimpse into the life of Saul.
Although the Lord foresaw Saul’s abuse of power, He still gave Saul more than a fighting chance as a leader. Before Saul was ever proclaimed king, God sent His spirit upon him (1 Samuel 10:6,10). Imagine that: even though God knew Saul would eventually go astray, He still set Saul up for success as a king.
This speaks to the deep compassion our Creator has for each one of us. If God is calling you to something, He will equip you for it. Whether it’s leadership in a traditional sense, evangelism, hospitality, a position at work, or a volunteer role through your church—if God is calling you to it, He will give you the tools you need to faithfully serve Him in that call.
Now, that doesn’t mean God will always raise you up to glory, nor does it mean God’s Spirit is with us for our own gain. Rather, as we can see in countless places throughout Scripture, God gives the opportunities, talents, and skills we need to make His name great.
However, much like Saul, the moment we stop directing our passions and pursuits toward God and His glory, it’s likely He’ll raise up someone else for His eternal and divine purposes. We make a big mistake when we assume, whether consciously or subconsciously, that God needs us to restore this world to Him. Yes, He takes joy in preparing, equipping, sending, and walking with each of us, but let us never be fooled into thinking He needs us to bring forth His will or complete His plans.
Maybe you’re in a place where you know you need a new heart. Don’t hesitate to ask God for it! His mercies are never-ending and new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). Maybe you need to be revived by His Spirit for the very first time. Or perhaps you want to grow in intimacy with Christ, for your relationship to be renewed. Don’t let this day go by without pausing before our Creator—the One who calls us, sends us, equips us, and has forever redeemed us.
Written by Andrew Stoddard
7 thoughts on "Saul Anointed King"
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Max Hohner says:
We should only find our security and stability in God because not only does God provide us with everything we need, he also equips us so that we are prepared for any task we face. For example, God gave Saul a new heart and filled him with the Holy Spirit. Saul serves as an excellent example of God’s willingness to equip us because even though Saul would eventually go astray God still helped him become King and lead Israel for a time. God equips to do things that bring him glory, once we go astray from him, as Saul did, he will raise someone else up for his glory.
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Steven says:
I’ve been desiring renewed intimacy with Christ for some time now, and only recently have I begun to taste it again. Working towards a consistent devotional habit is the first big step for me, and I already feel my heart filling with rest and love again.
I know it doesn’t relate directly to this day’s reading, but I’m just enormously thankful that God is taking a prominent place in my heart again. It may be slow, but I can taste it again, and I’m in love once more.
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Daniel Rhodes says:
It is humbling to know that when God puts something on our heart he also gives us all the tools to get it done correctly. We don’t succeed because we are good at something, we are only good at something because God has gone before us and prepared a way for us to succeed. Remembering that makes praising God and thanking him easier than if we thought we did it all on our own.
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Anthony Caligaris says:
I don’t know all there is to know about Saul, but dang if it doesn’t seem like these first steps are a setting him up for success.
To me this is another example from this book about false gods. I’m interested to read on, but if this goes the way I think it does, Saul’s power becomes his false god.
I loved the devotional part about how we start to believe sometimes that God NEEDS is to return his kingdom to Him. This is untrue, instead we should be grateful to be given an opportunity to act in accordance with His will. It’s not about us. It’s about Him, and His people, and always will be.
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Matt Lockwood says:
It is God who equips for his purposes. We are not needed, but we are wanted – don’t get too big for your boots.
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Kevin says:
Day 5: that had to be one of the craziest times for Saul as Samuel was kinda like alright dude here ya go. You’re the king now. A guy who not a week earlier is a normal guy but really handsome and is now King.
It’s wild for me to think about the Lord not needing us for his plan to be fulfilled. Sometimes that saddens me as I want so much to be a part of it, but it also relieves me as I feel like I get in the way of him sometimes. God wants us to be a part of his plan and I love that.
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Kim says:
God is sovereign and our ultimate ruler.
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