17^th December 2024

Alex Buabeng-Korsah

Theme: THE TEST OF MATURITY

THEME SCRIPTURE: "Tomorrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me." 1 Samuel 9:16 KJV

PREPARATORY QUESTION

1. How mature are you in Christ? What would be your answer to this question?

Since the time God appeared and spoke to him in the days of Eli the priest, Samuel had developed the habitual nearness to God. It was a nearness in which God may speak to a man as His friend (Psa 25:14). Beloved, if there is anything to covet in life, it is the habitual nearness to God so that He can reveal His secrets to you (John 15:15).

Choosing a king for Israel was a daunting task for Samuel, but he knew that working together with God, it was possible. How remarkable it is to notice that even when Samuel encountered Saul in the street, God continued to guide him. "And when Samuel saw Saul, the Lord said unto him, Behold the man whom I spake to thee of! this same shall reign over my people" (1 Sam 9:17). Samuel's intimacy with the Most High was deep and fluid. Let this morning be an opportunity for you to assess your intimacy with God this year. How has your intimacy with the Infinite One grown this year?

The judge of God is meeting the would-be king of Israel. How should Samuel treat Saul? Of course, Samuel did not see Saul as a rival. He was too mature in Christ to see the would-be king as a competitor. The life which is lived in God's presence is so filled with His light and love such that natural glory does not hold value to the spiritually mature compared to the divine glory. It is the spiritually immature who are easily bothered by the fickle fancies of the crowd. Samuel was ready to bow out for the would-be king to step in. He was ready to be abased for another to be exalted.

Later, Apostle Paul would say this of himself, "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need" (Phil 4:11-12). This is awesome.

Precious one, if God whispers to you today that "Tomorrow...I will send thee a man," what will your reaction be? Will you be ready to receive this man or frustrate him? Will you welcome him or dismiss him? In some marriages, the spouse God brought in is being contended with. Some Christians are in positions God gave them. The same God has brought another man who is on another errand, and we are restless. We are fighting one another in our churches and among our leadership because we are afraid of the men God has brought to us today. It is a sign of our immaturity; our insecurity.

It is God who raises one and abases the other. The man who is humble will know how to anoint the man God has sent to him.

Beloved, is there any insecurity in your life? Mature! Is there a man you detest because he is a would-be king? Grow up! Are you competing and fighting with another in your workplace, church, or among your friends? Grow up! The race is not for the swift, nor the battle for the strong. God will guide you today to discern the men who are in your life purposely so that you might anoint them. He will help you to receive and welcome them.

Remain blessed.

FURTHER READING: 1 Samuel 9:15-27

Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so.

 QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD

1. How competitive are you?
2. How easily do you grow jealous?

PRAYER

Precious Father, in all things, you must be glorified. Not only must we pray that your will be done on earth, but also contribute where necessary to the fulfillment of your will in our lives. I receive strength to decrease so you, Lord, would increase. I receive grace to accept others and what God is doing with their lives, in Jesus' precious name. Glory to God!

ONE-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Job 21,  Zephaniah 3, 1 John 3, 1 John 4