Community Devotions

Divine Regret

SCRIPTURE

1 Samuel 15:34, “And the LORD regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel”.

OBSERVATION

Saul went from divine appointment (“The LORD sent me to anoint you king…”) in the first verse of chapter 15 to divine disappointment ("And the LORD regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel”) in the last verse of the chapter. How does the the hand-picked, anointed king of Israel turn heel to become the heartache of God? Here’s some leadership lessons from Saul:

• Obedience > Sacrifice: Partial obedience is still disobedience. Instead of fully annihilating all things Amalekites he spared King Agag and the best spoils in order to make a sacrifice to God. Saul thought he was doing God a favor by making a sacrifice from the Amalekite spoils but actually it was a hindrance to God’s divine plan to judge Amalekite as a nation (15:2-3).
• Fear of God > Fear of Man: Given the choice to walk in the fear of God or the fear of man, Saul disobeyed God because he was afraid of the people and obeyed the voice man.

APPLICATION

Bobby Clinton’s conclusion that only 30% of leaders in the bible finish well is both staggering and sobering. Seventy percent of men and women of God in Scripture who have been anointed, called and qualified to leadership failed to finish strong. The word for regret is the same word to describe God’s grief in Genesis 6:6, “And the LORD regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart”. Can you imagine God grieving in his heart and feeling remorse?May it never be said of me that God regretted to anoint me as husband to Renee, father to Judah/Noah/Ezra and pastor to New Hope Community Church. Points of obedience:

- As a Christ follower: Walk in integrity and obedience. Ensure a fresh and thriving relationship with Jesus through confession and repentance standing firm in the gospel. Pursue Christ above all else. Discipline myself for godliness.

- Husband: Love Renee and lay down my life for her. Lead with love and courage in all things.

- Father: Lead with grace and truth. Prioritize relationship over behavior. Set the example of obedience to God in the home.

- Pastor: Obey God and choose the fear of God. Preach the whole counsel of God’s word and don’t be afraid to take charge in church discipline. Shepherd God’s people with skillfulness of hands and integrity of heart.

PRAYER

Sustained Leadership

SCRIPTURE

1 Samuel 11:6, 8

6 When Saul heard their words, the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him, and he burned with anger.  8 When Saul mustered them at Bezek, the men of Israel numbered three hundred thousand and those of Judah thirty thousand.

OBSERVATION

Every leader has his moment.  Saul’s moment was when Nahash the Ammonite went up and besieged Jabesh Gilead.  Nahash was not only going to attack to seize Jabesh Gilead but was intent on total humiliation of the Israelites living there by demanding that every man plucks out his right eye in return for their life.  It was going to more than a life-long humiliation since a story will be told of such atrocity for years to come.  To this, Saul became angry enough to overcome his reluctance and insecurity to rally his people to attack and defeat the Ammonites.  It was a just anger for his people and got him to get out of himself to lead his people.  Saul also showed grace and mercy when his proponents wanted to punish those who initially opposed his kingship.  But ultimately, Saul could not sustain his leadership – succumbing to his followers’ pressure and making bad decisions.  His insecurity got the best of him when David became more popular than him and pursued David to destroy him for the remainder of his reign. 

APPLICATION

Sustained leadership:  It’s not enough to surge for those situations that require bold leadership - though it is necessary – but also need God’s wisdom during those times when extreme circumstances don’t exist where they can be used to rally your team.  It requires daily walk with God.

Be secure in God: Samuel clearly anointed and blessed Saul, to install kingship on him.  We will always have opposition to good work that we get to do, no matter how worthy they might be.  A leader must have complete trust in God who called him to do good work, for His own purpose.

PRAYER

Father God, thank you for countless leadership lessons that you chose to preserve in the Scripture.  Open my spiritual eyes and give me a teachable heart daily to learn from good and bad leadership examples and do serve you better.  Protect and bless Michael, Joshua and Daniel.  I ask for the Holy Spirit to continue urge their hearts to yearn for your presence every day.  Bless Christine as she prays for our children with other moms.  I love you, Father.  In Jesus name I pray.  Amen.