Is it time to move on?

Today's text is one that might be familiar to all of us, it details the anointing and appointment of David as king of Israel. Today I would like to take a different focus on the text.  Samuel and Saul were friends and co-workers in a since Saul was the king and Samuel was the prophet/priest in residence. The bible details there friendship and I imagine that they were really close until... 1st Samuel 15. 

 

Once Saul disobeys God due to his impatience God rejects him as king and begins to prepare for a new king. The problem is that even though God is done with Saul, he and Samuel are still friends, so of course Samuel is saddened and grieving in the beginning of chapter 16. God ask Samuel how long will he be upset and sad over loosing Saul, reminding us that there are people in our life whom we will appreciate and even love that God will move us away from like Samuel from Saul.  

 

Some people come into our lives for seasons,  and various reasons. There are some relationships that will last a lifetime and others a brief moment. We must stay in prayer that we can hear God speaking to us like Samuel instructing us on how we should be in relationship to.  If you are like me you have lost friends over the years and it's never easy. I have learned to trust that God is working in my life and when I loose a friend or end a relationship I still grieve but I grieve and mourn knowing that God is moving me on to better things. God moved Samuel on to meet David and eventually David became somewhat of a Mentee to  Samuel, establishing their own relationship. 

 

What relationships is God moving you from or to?  Whom are you grieving over? Where is God trying to move you to that you can't go because your tied down to something or someone?  These are just personal reflection questions for you after you read the text, be well today.

1 Samuel 16

New International Version (NIV)

Samuel Anoints David

1 The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.”

² But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.”
The Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ ³ Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.”
⁴ Samuel did what the Lord said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace?”
⁵ Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.
⁶ When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.”
⁷ But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
⁸ Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.” ⁹ Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the Lord chosen this one.” ¹⁰ Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.” ¹¹ So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?”
“There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.”
Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”
¹² So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features.
Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.”
¹³ So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.