“Now the Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have selected a king for Myself among his sons.” I Samuel 16:1
“But Dad, everyone is doing it. ....” Every parent has heard these words and most of us have our own version of a response. Mine was often: “But you aren’t everyone’s kid, you are mine and you won’t be doing it.” As a parent, I could see the big picture much better than my child, but that didn’t necessarily make my “No” popular with our children.
In the same way, the prophet Samuel had a difficult time accepting God’s decision about King Saul. Both in 1 Samuel 15:35 and again in the verse above, we are told that Samuel grieved over Saul. God had rejected Saul and yet Samual was hanging on out of respect for his king or perhaps hope that Saul would repent.
Reading today’s verse, I was struck by how often I too am unwilling to let go when my Heavenly Father has said “No” to something. Like Samuel, I grieve over it and don’t move on. But God, if only ….
Samuel needed to be admonished by God to move forward and anoint David as king. In the same way, I have to learn to accept what God is doing in my life today and trust that He does in fact know best. I can know that He is at work in my life, and as Romans 8:28 reminds me, “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
Do you need to let go and accept God’s voice in your life and thank Him for what He is doing right now? Know that Your Heavenly Father loves you and has only your best interests in mind. He wants to be at work in your life.
Heavenly Father, may I be quick to hear Your voice and recognize when You are saying “No.” Help me to accept everything as being from Your hand and be thankful for all that You have allowed in my life, to mold me and make me more like Jesus. Amen.
Take Action
What circumstance or unmet desire has been difficult for you to experience? To show that you trust and believe that God’s plans for you are both loving and the best, surrender this situation or disappointment today. Tell God exactly how you feel; then thank Him for His good and perfect plans.
Mentors are also here to pray with you and listen to you.
