April 10, 2014 - Thursday

Start Time: 7:10 A.M.

End Time: 7:26 A.M.

Title: Saul Rescues the City of Jabesh

Scripture: 1 Samuel 11:1 – 15

God’s Message / God’s Promise / God’s Commands:

→ Nahash^[a] the Ammonite went up and besieged Jabesh Gilead. And all the men of Jabesh said to him, “Make a treaty with us, and we will be subject to you.” But Nahash the Ammonite replied, “I will make a treaty with you only on the condition that I gougeout the right eye of every one of you and so bring disgrace on all Israel.” The elders of Jabesh said to him, “Give us seven days so we can send messengers throughout Israel; if no one comes to rescue us, we will surrender to you.”  When the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul and reported these terms to the people, they all weptaloud.  Just then Saul was returning from the fields, behind his oxen, and he asked, “What is wrong with everyone? Why are they weeping?” Then they repeated to him what the men of Jabesh had said.  When Saul heard their words, the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him, and he burned with anger. He took a pair of oxen, cut them into pieces, and sent the pieces by messengers throughout Israel, proclaiming, “This is what will be done to the oxen of anyone who does not follow Saul and Samuel.” Then the terror of the Lord fell on the people, and they came out together as one.  When Saul mustered them at Bezek, the men of Israel numbered three hundred thousand and those of Judah thirty thousand.  They told the messengers who had come, “Say to the men of Jabesh Gilead, ‘By the time the sun is hot tomorrow, you will be rescued.’” When the messengers went and reported this to the men of Jabesh, they were elated.  They said to the Ammonites, “Tomorrow we will surrender to you, and you can do to us whatever you like.”  The next day Saul separated his men into three divisions; during the last watch of the night they broke into the camp of the Ammonites and slaughtered them until the heat of the day. Those who survived were scattered, so that no two of them were left together.

NOTES:

Ø God does not allow His enemy to disgrace His people for it is also disgracing Him!  Anyone who intend to dishonor, discredit, or humiliate us (God’s children), will in turn disgrace the Lord and God will not allow that to happen.   Many times we are like Jabesh who are feeling helpless and has only two options: 1) hope that someone else will save us in our predicament; or 2) surrender to our enemy and accept the shame.  But God is the Majestic One and His people represent Him!  He does not allow our enemies to disgrace us at any point for no one can dishonor Him without getting the consequence of that action.  It is like disrespecting a king or a person in authority.  God is not just a king, He is the King of Kings; God is not just a person in authority, He is the supreme authority of all!  No one disgraces Him and end up getting away with it.  God’s love and grace extends this condition to us His people!  Hallelujah!

→The people then said to Samuel, “Who was it that asked, ‘Shall Saul reign over us?’ Turn these men over to us so that we may put them to death.” But Saul said, “No one will be put to death today, for this day the Lord has rescued Israel.” Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to Gilgal and there renew the kingship.”  So all the people went to Gilgal and made Saul king in the presence of the Lord. There they sacrificed fellowship offerings before the Lord, and Saul and all the Israelites held a great celebration.

NOTES:

Ø God’s victories in our lives confirm our role in His Kingdom!  We are to celebrate God’s victory in our lives for it strengthens His calling and plans for us.  It will eliminate doubts and confusions in our identity because people will know that we are of God.  When God operates, He does not allow doubts or questions to cloud His people and He will ensure that their hearts will embrace His will in choosing His appointed leader for His people!  Praise Jesus!

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, Gracious Lord and loving Father.  Thank You because Your presence in us confirms our role in Your Kingdom and each victory You achieved for us prove Your calling for our lives.  Help me to proclaim Your victory in my life every day Lord that people may know Your existence in my life.  Thank You Jesus for You do not allow our enemy to disgrace us and shame us.  You ensure that we are covered by Your love and grace at all times and our enemy will end up getting themselves disgraced because of their evil plot against us.  Thank You Jesus because in You we can always be assured of protection and safety.  Help me Lord to see things in Your eyes and let me be grateful and declaring of Your testimonies daily.  Thank You for Your ever-loving kindness in my life.  I enjoy your grace and favor upon me each day.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen!