“‘…I am here to tell you that you and your family are the focus of all Israel’s hopes.’”
Saul replied, ‘But I’m only from the tribe of Benjamin, the smallest tribe in Israel,
and my family is the least important of all the families of that tribe!
Why are you talking like this to me?’”
1 Samuel 9:20b-21 NLT
Saul, the appointed king of Israel, never got past his feeling of unworthiness. He never grasped the importance of his purpose, and because of that, he never took it seriously. He never understood that the thoughts he had about himself were a distraction from his calling. He lived his life making up his own rules, following God’s instructions halfheartedly, and trying to please others. He allowed himself to be distracted, because he didn’t know just how important he was to God.
“And Samuel told him,
‘Although you may think little of yourself,
are you not the leader of the tribes of Israel?
The LORD has anointed you king of Israel.
And the LORD sent you on a mission…’”
1 Samuel 15:17-18a NLT
“Although you may think little of yourself.” Samuel called out Saul’s insecurity and his distraction, and then followed up with a question: “Are you not the leader of the tribes of Israel?” I don’t believe Samuel was looking for an answer; he was leading Saul to the answer and reminding him of his calling and purpose. Samuel goes on to say, “The Lord has anointed you…the Lord sent you on a mission.”
We are anointed and appointed to change the world for Jesus. We have been sent on a mission and have been commissioned and positioned to live out the purpose God has infused inside each of us. Distraction, feelings of unworthiness, or being unqualified are no excuse for disobedience.
Christian women of this world—God’s army—although you may think little of yourselves, have you not been anointed and appointed to change the world for Jesus?
When we don’t know how important our purpose is and how critical it is to live it out, we allow ourselves to be distracted, we allow ourselves to be silenced, and we allow distraction to bring us down to a bow. We were created on purpose and with a purpose. We were created to change the world for Jesus. This must be on our urgent list. This must be a priority. This must be our mission. This is not sacrificing, even though sometimes it will feel like it, this is a privilege. It is a privilege to be chosen by God to change the world for him, and it is an honor to tell his story.
Saul thought he was sacrificing everything by becoming king. He thought he was doing the right thing, and felt his plans were right because they were right to him. His intentions were good, but his intentions were not God’s plans or commands. Saul wanted to please God with his sacrifice, but God never asked him for that. He asked him for obedience and submission.
“But Samuel replied,
‘What is more pleasing to the LORD:
your burnt offerings and sacrifices
or your obedience to his voice?
Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice
and submission is better than offering…’”
1 Samuel 15:22a NLT
