In 1 Samuel 12 depicts the great prophet Samuel’s “Farewell Address” to the people he had served so faithfully over his lifetime, beginning as a little boy. Now he is old and gray, his personal integrity unchallenged as the mantle of governmental leadership passes from him to the new king. Samuel’s deep concern for the people’s spiritual welfare is manifest as he speaks strong words of exhortation and warning, including yet another rebuke for ever having lusted after a worldly system of leadership. At the end of Samuel’s speech, God supernaturally confirms the prophet’s words by suddenly sending thunder and rain.
Samuel’s unease about what the future held for Israel was clearly warranted. The next chapter reveals how quickly King Saul disqualified himself from leading the nation. In the immediate aftermath of his first military campaign, Saul was utterly rejected by the Lord. Although Saul continued to occupy the throne for many years afterward, Samuel would clearly state that the Lord had already chosen another: “But now your kingdom will not endure, the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command. (1 Samuel 13:14)”
A short time later, Samuel would secretly anoint David as king and the Spirit of God would come upon the young shepherd with great grace and power from that day forward(1 Samuel 16:13). Saul still had the position, the power, the prestige, the palace, and the people…but David had the anointing. Always remember this: Just because people are prominent in ministry, that doesn’t mean they still carry God’s anointing and favor.
One of our earlier readings in the Book of Judges graphically illustrates this principle. It contains one of the saddest scenes in the Bible. Samson, a man God had once used so mightily, awakes from his sleep after Delilah had cut his hair, the secret of his spiritual power. He says to himself, “… I’ll go out as before and shake myself free…(Judges 16:20),” expecting the power of God to again flow through him, not knowing that the Spirit of the Lord had left him.
Here are some life-lessons that come to mind when I reflect upon these events:
1. The wheels of God’s justice grind slow but sure. Saul’s disobedience would cost him the kingdom, not immediately, but ultimately.
2. Time is on the side of all truth and all good things. For many long, difficult years, David was not openly known or recognized for what he was, but the day would come when the truth about his destiny would be clear to everyone. Even King Saul, who so bitterly and relentlessly tried to destroy him, knew deep within his heart that God had chosen David to become king.
3. Worship is not something to be taken lightly. As we read through Saul’s life, then David’s, we will notice their very different attitudes toward worship and the manifest presence of God. It never fails to move and astonish me when I think about the fact that God forgave repentant King David’s adultery and murder, promising that one of his sons would forever sit on the throne of Israel, but utterly and permanently rejected Saul for offering up sacrifices without waiting for Samuel. Saul’s cavalier attitude toward worship literally cost him the kingdom. From God’s point of view, worship is a very, very, very big deal…!
4. Leadership failures never take God by surprise. Samuel’s words in verse fourteen reveal that God had already begun his search for someone after His own heart long before Saul ever sinned. Never forget it: No matter how badly leaders fail; no matter what happens in a country, a family, or a ministry; God will always have a solution already prepared. When a leader fails so badly as to disqualify them from leadership, God will always have someone ready and waiting in the wings to assume the responsibility of leading His people forward into their destiny. The new leader’s personality, background, and giftings may be so different from their predecessor that it takes many years for onlookers and commentators to recognize that they are the right person for the job, but God’s work is far too great and far too important for Him to let it go unfinished. When one leader or ministry falls, another will rise to take its place.
May every one of us purpose in our heart that we will be a Samuel and not a Saul! God can help us finish strong!
Pastor Mark
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