First Chronicles chapter 10. Taking Control or Seeking God
This chapter focuses on King Saul and how he was not a great king because he did not obey God's word, he sought mediums for guidance and he did not inquire of the Lord. As a result God took his life and innocent people died with him.
We could become very judgmental against Saul for being such a terrible King before the Lord. But what are two things that made him an unfaithful King?
- He did not obey God.
- He did not inquire of God or seek God for guidance.
Before I get too judgmental I need to look at my own life. As a Christian I could perhaps brag about being “pretty obedient” to God's Word, but when life gets stressful and busy it's easy to get so caught up in it that there is this desire to want to take control and try and figure out what to do. As a result God gets put on the back shelf. It seems easy to struggle in one's mind and try and make decisions and hope for the best and look for certain results. It's easy to become overwhelmed. And the stresses of the day seem numerous.
I'm curious how many times a day I try and take over and neglect or forget to seek God for daily decisions in dealing with daily conflicts and daily stresses.
Lord, may I inquire of you more often. My I quit trying to be in control. Thank you that you love me so much and are so willing to embrace me and my daily struggles. Forgive me for my lack of faith and for not even inquiring of you.
We may try to take control and solve life’s problems in our own way as Saul did, but God can help us instead. He wants us to seek Him and surrender to Him. Here are a few Bible passages that I was reminded of today.
Hebrews 13:5-6
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for He has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”
Psalm 34:8-10
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints, for those who fear Him have no lack! The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
Jeremiah 29:11-13
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will hear you. You will seek Me and find Me, when you seek Me with all your heart.