choices are for the Living

Choices are for the Living

1 Samuel 10:20-22, “When Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, the tribe of Benjamin was chosen.  Then he brought forward the tribe of Benjamin, clan by clan, and Matri’s clan was chosen.  Finally Saul son of Kish was chosen. But when they looked for him, he was not to be found.  So they inquired further of the Lord, “Has the man come here yet?”  And the Lord said, “Yes, he has hidden himself among the baggage.”

The first king was chosen by casting lots, flat stones carried by the high priest.  This might sound like Saul was chosen merely by happenstance but on the contrary, the Lord himself had instructed the Israelites to make the lots to determine decisions, so therefore God was taking the decisions out of their hands and putting in His own hand. What was really fascinating to me Readers, when I read the story in 1 Samuel 10:1, “Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on Saul’s head and kissed him saying, “Has not the Lord anointed you leader over his inheritance?”  Then Samuel went on to say in verse 2 thru 7, “When you leave me today you will meet two men near Rachel’s tomb, at Zelzah on the border of Benjamin.  They will say to you, ‘The donkey you set out to look for has been found.  And now your father has stopped thinking about them and is worried about you.  He is asking, “What shall I do about my son?” Then you will go on from there until you reach the great tree of Tabor.  Three men going up to God at Bethel will meet you there.  One will be carrying three young goats, another three loaves of bread, and another a skin of wine.  They will greet you and offer you two loaves of bread, which you will accept from them.  After that you will go to Gibeah of God, where there is a Philistine outpost.  As you approach the town, you will meet a procession of prophets coming down from the high place with lyres, tambourines, flutes, and harps being played before them, and they will be prophesying.  The Spirit of the Lord will come upon you in power, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be changed into a different person.  Once these signs are fulfilled, do whatever your hand finds to do, for God is with you.”

Wow! Readers, how many of you heard the Lord calling you to do something powerful in His name?  He has sent sign after sign like he did for Saul a goat, bread, wine, prophets and even a band.  The Lord has told you where to go and what to do. He has anointed you King over that assignment, but where can you be found? Is it among the baggage?  You see Saul knew he had already been selected to be the king but when they called for him he was hiding among the baggage.

photo credit - rachellegardner.blogspot.com

Readers, can I be so bold to suggest that many of you are hiding behind the baggage of your past; your past mistakes, past failures, past hurts, and present fear.  God has already called you my friend according to Ephesians 2:10, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”  2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old is gone, the new has come!” Samuel said, once these signs have been filled, do whatever your hands find to do because God is with you. Have you been hearing harps and flutes?  Samuel gave Saul many signs, what sign has God given you?

 I wonder how many times we have missed being an answer to someone else’s prayer due to our own insecurities coupled with excuses.  Did you notice God knew exactly where Saul was when someone asked in 1 Samuel 10:22, “Has the man come here yet?” And the Lord said, “Yes, he has hidden himself among the baggage.” You might be hiding from everyone else but you are not hidden from God. Once Saul came out, faced his fear he was generously accepted. What are you waiting for; today is the youngest you will ever be, today is the day to obey. Stop hiding behind the baggage of your past, you are so much more than what you were before Christ because you are a new creation, created to do good works prepared in advance for you to do.
Choices are for the living…Live among the baggage or step out and move on.

Today is the day to obey.

Stepping out and moving on.

Michele Davenport

For questions or prayers please email me at my new email address fbmin02@gmail.com

To order my book, “Ripened on the Vine” a story of survival and God’s grace or to listen to my teachings on audio visit our web page at  www.fbministries.com