A Change of Heart

Based on 1 Samuel 10-12, Psalm 54

"Only fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you." 1 Samuel 12:24

This Scripture is found at the end of today's reading, but I think these words of Samuel are repeated in many different ways, constantly calling out to Israel to serve God in Truth with ALL their heart...not holding back or putting their trust elsewhere. Israel desperately needed a change of heart, not to something new, but back to their old love, God!

"And the Spirit of the Lord will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man. And let it be, when these signs are come unto thee, that thou do as occasion serve thee; for God is with thee." 1 Samuel 10:6‭-‬7

"And it was so, that when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God gave him another heart: and all those signs came to pass that day." 1 Samuel 10:9

God was in the process of changing Saul into another man with another heart. He desired to use Saul even amidst the constant prophecies against a king from Samuel. Even though Saul was king, it was evident that God still wanted to show that He was in control. He had the power to change Saul, but Saul had to want it. God also had the power to make signs & wonders come to pass, no matter who was sitting on the earthly throne. The question remained: would Israel have a change of heart? Would they have another heart & become a people ready to serve God? If not, Saul would most likely be a king who reflected them and not God...

"Therefore they enquired of the Lord further, if the man should yet come thither. And the Lord answered, Behold, he hath hid himself among the stuff." 1 Samuel 10:22

"And, behold, Saul came after the herd out of the field; and Saul said, What aileth the people that they weep? And they told him the tidings of the men of Jabesh. And the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and his anger was kindled greatly."
1 Samuel 11:5‭-‬6

Saul was always being pulled back into his calling somehow...he was first distracted by random stuff, and then he was found in the field with the herd. Although he won some battles, the ultimate war within himself was a war which would never truly be won. There was always a struggle between having a godly focus, or a carnal focus. His heart changed many times, but not always for the better...

God is not going to force us to love & serve Him. He will reach in and draw us near, but He will not pull us or force us without a choice. God has the ability to control that, but out of love, He chooses not to! We must remember this & choose to have a deeper love & appreciation for God every day!

"And all the people went to Gilgal; and there they made Saul king before the Lord in Gilgal; and there they sacrificed sacrifices of peace offerings before the Lord; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly."
1 Samuel 11:15

It was official. Saul was publicly made king. Although the people sacrificed unto The Lord, they still did not severance God as their true King. So, Samuel gave them some reminders:

"Now therefore stand still, that I may reason with you before the Lord of all the righteous acts of the Lord, which he did to you and to your fathers." 1 Samuel 12:7

He reminded them of Egypt. He reminded them of everything God had done for them. Samuel really had a passion for reaching the heart of Israel & bringing them back to God with a true change of heart. After seeing how God was always in control, the people still wanted a king:

"And when ye saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, ye said unto me, Nay; but a king shall reign over us: when the Lord your God was your king. Now therefore behold the king whom ye have chosen, and whom ye have desired! and, behold, the Lord hath set a king over you."
1 Samuel 12:12‭-‬13

"If ye will fear the Lord, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then shall both ye and also the king that reigneth over you continue following the Lord your God:"
1 Samuel 12:14

So, if the Israelites did not follow God, it would not be likely that their king would either. They would serve a king just like them! This speaks a lot about the person Saul would become in his future...and just like God used thunder to cause a victory against the Philistines earlier, God used it to send a message of warning against Israel:

"Is it not wheat harvest to day? I will call unto the Lord, and he shall send thunder and rain; that ye may perceive and see that your wickedness is great, which ye have done in the sight of the Lord, in asking you a king. So Samuel called unto the Lord; and the Lord sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel."
1 Samuel 12:17‭-‬18

"For he hath delivered me out of all trouble: and mine eye hath seen his desire upon mine enemies." Psalms 54:7

How could Israel forget God's goodness so quickly? Not only that, but reminders were constantly brought to their attention! How obvious is our need for a change of heart? Should we be taking God more seriously? Are we ignoring God's voice? Lord, help us to stay sensitive to You & love You in Jesus' Name!