Chester ARP Devotional Podcast

The Lord rejects Saul as king over Israel becaues Saul refused to fulfill His commands. However, the Lord's rejection of Saul follows Saul's rejection of Him. Saul's heart is not devoted to the Lord nor submitted to His will.

Saul disobeyed the commands of God when he led the Israelites into battle against the Amalekites. God rejected him because it.

Saul made a rash vow that could have had disasterous consequences for his family and Israel. Thankfully, God prevented him from taking Jonathan's life as the peole refused to allow him to kill his son. The Lord's work is seen in action rather than silly, ill-advised vows.

Jonathan was a man of faith and action. He trusted the Lord and took action against the Philistines. The Lord moved and brought victory to Israel. We must trust the Lord to fight our battles and take action in faith.

Saul offered an unlawful sacrifice and had to face the consequennces of his sin. God rejects those who profane his holy things and refuse to follow his prescribed ways of worship.

Israel rejected God as their king in order to have a human king to deliver them from the hand of of their enemies. The problem was that they were helpless against their enemies without God. They needed him and so do we.

Do not trust in princes of the earth, for they will let you down. Do not trsut in things that cannot profit you nor deliver you. It's a waste. Rather, trust the Lord and he will be you God into eternity.

Samuel was a man of tremendous integrity. There was no charge to labeled against him, and because of that, he was well respected among God's people. Integrity matters in our lives as well.

For the first time during his reign, King Saul delivered his people from their enemies. By the power of God, he is beginning to take his place as leader and deliverer of his fellow Israelites.

Saul was "randomly" chosen to lead the people, or so it appeared to them. However, God is as sovereign over the random things in life as he is over those which appear to be clearly planned.

Samuel nointd Saul to be king over the people of Israel. He would deliver the peopel from their enemies and reign over the Israelites, and he'd receive the blessing from the Lord as long as he reamined in the Lord's will.

God prepared Saul for Israel and Israel for Saul. There was nothing left for chance in this momentous meeting between the prophet and future king. The people made their choice freely as did God.

1 Samuel 9 introduces us to the future king of Israel -- Saul. He has all the worldly qualificatios and looks the part. He's the most intimidating figure in all of Isarel, but is he qualified to lead in accordance with God's will?

Samuel told the people of Israel to be careful what they ask for when asking for a king. They wantedto be like every other nation around them; yet, they weren't like every other nation around them. They were the Lord's.

The Israelites got tired of the cycle of hardship that was prevalent during the period of the Judges. Their moral compass was gone and they wanted someone to give them a new one. They wanted a king.

Israel learned that their submission to the Lord in faith was necessary before he would give them victory over their enemies, the Philistines. We must learn to trust him as well.

The men of Beth-shemesh missed the blessing of the Lord's presence because they were scared of his judgment on thier sin. God is just. We aren't. He also promises grace to those who will trust in Him. Let us not miss the blessing.

Israel's God is greater than all the other pretenders. Dagon and the Philistines found that out, and so will everyone else who refuses to bow the knee to the God of all creation.

God's fulfilled his prophecy to Eli ragarding his sons and their family's future in charge of Israel's worship. It was a day for great sorrow. But, God is still gracious to bring about his good in all things.

God honors faithfulness. Paln and Simple. The Israelites found that out in there battle with Philisties and we will as well if we don't learn from them.

Sameul was called to give the Word of the Lord to the people of Israel. This task began with Eli. It wasn't a pleasant to message; yet, he had to give it to him. We are called to do the same thing -- give God's word to people even when it isn't pleasant.

Unfaithfulness to God and sin against him equals rejection by God. We must repent of our sins and return to him while living in faithfulness to his call on our lives.

Hannah prayed a prayer of fullness before the Lord. She exalted in Him. So should we.

Hannah was faithful to fulfill the promises that she made to God. We must be willing to fulfill the promises we make to Him as well.

Hannah cried out to the Lord in the midst of her distress. Her faith pushed her to pray to the only one who could give her the desires of her heart.