Settled?

Let's just say that you've launched a new journey. Perhaps it's not new, but you've taken a breath and realized renewed vigor. Perhaps, it's not even that. Maybe you are just needing a word of encouragement. You look at your task, your job, your venture, and you see it stretch out before you. You've settled into the ride. You're into it now. You're committed. You have your foot on the gas for better or worse. No stopping, right? I just wanted to give you a moment's pause to reflect and then press forward.

In 1 Samuel, the Children of Israel demand to be like all the other nations and have a king. Samuel is quite upset about this and takes the matter to THE King who tells him, "Don't worry about it. They haven't rejected you. They've rejected me. For that, they will suffer the consequences of their decision." Ah, there's much to be said about this. But, that's a full sermon and not necessarily an encouraging note. So, onward, before I get sucked into preaching here. ;-)

With God's direction, Samuel locates and anoints Saul to be the first king of Israel. Samuel introduces Saul and tells the people what will happen. The people of Israel realize what they have done and, without truly repenting, beg for forgiveness. Samuel responds by telling them the rules - basically, keep God as your total focus and He'll take care of you. Remove that focus and you'll suffer the consequences.

In the end, Samuel says something that I think is beneficial to all of us. Not that we've rejected the Lordship of God, but the rest of this statement is helpful. After telling the people that they have done evil, he says, "Do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. For the Lord will not forsake his people, for his great name's sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself." (1 Samuel 12:20-22 ESV) As you're reading this particular verse, I hope you hear this for yourself. I "heard" God say, "Press forward. Keep moving in the directed plan God has for your life. He has called you and He will not forsake anyone that He has called 'for His great name's sake.'" You are His child, His own. He will take care of you. You may be feeling like you'll never successfully complete the task before you. I have news for you. God will help you complete it successfully. He has called you to this task and will help you complete it if you lean on Him. That obviously doesn't mean that if you don't apply yourself that the task will magically be successfully completed. No, you still have consequences of your actions. But, if you do apply yourself, you will find success, whatever that looks like. So, keep moving forward. Trust Him to deliver you through this experience. "Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass." (1 Thes 5:24)