Life Lines - Saul

In our study of Saul, please notice the prophecy of Samuel concerning Saul in 1 Samuel 10:6: "And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man." We see this happening in verse 9: "And it was so, that when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God gave him another heart: and all those signs came to pass that day."

We find a very interesting account in verses 20-23:

And when Samuel had caused all the tribes of Israel to come near, the tribe of Benjamin was taken. When he had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near by their families... and when they sought him, he cound not be found. Therefore they inquired of the LORD further ... And the LORD answered, Behold, he had hid himself among the stuff.

I would like to think of this as a manifestation of humility on the part of Saul. In verse 24, we see Samuel's evaulation of Saul:

And Samuel said to all the people, See ye him whom the LORD hath chosen, that there is none like him among all the people? And all the people shouted, and said, God save the King.

Please learn a spiritual truth here. Saul was of good character, chosen of the Lord, approved by men, and for one year won great victories. But spiritual victory today does not assure and guarantee victory tomorrow. The Christian walk is a day-by-day relationship with the Lord. Our victory tomorrow depends upon relation with the Lord tomorrow. Obedience today does not guarantee obedience tomorrow.

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Life Lines is a Bible based inspirational series authored by Brother Lowell M. Barnard of Grace Baptist Church, New Castle Indiana; and Blessed Hope Baptist Church, Huber Heights, Ohio.