The Big Picture

Based on 1 Samuel 13-14, Luke 10:1-24

"Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them." Luke 10:20‭, ‬24.

Sometimes, when God has healed us or given us a victory over something we've been struggling with, we rejoice over that...and there's nothing wrong with being excited about those things, but sometimes in rejoicing, we forget what the big picture is all about-JESUS! He is The One who brought us to that point of celebration in the first place! If we're not careful, and we look at the little picture for too long, we'll start to doubt God and put faith in ourselves (and that never works out too well! We will probably get more problems stacked on top of each other because we forget to rely on God to help us through!).

As the Scripture states, many prophets & kings of old would have loved to see the things the Apostles saw...like king Saul, for instance! Although it would have been a wonder to him, it also makes you wonder if he really would have changed his ways...

Saul became king for the right reasons, but ended up going the wrong way. His impatience and high regard of himself led him down a prideful path of destruction. He tried to continue in the flesh what was started in the Spirit! He missed the big picture! (Kind of like that tunnel situation we talked about last time!):

"Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?"
Galatians 3:3.

Although Saul did not receive the Spirit of God at that time, since people received it after Jesus ascended, the same concept applies in a different way: God started this work in Saul, but Saul became "all about himself"...as Samuel expressed to him, and as this above Scripture also states, Saul did foolishly:

"And it came to pass, that as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might salute him. And Samuel said, What hast thou done? And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou camest not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash; Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the Lord : I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering. And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the Lord thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the Lord have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever." 1 Samuel 13:10‭-‬13.

Saul could no longer wait for Samuel. The people were scattering, losing faith in Saul just as Saul was losing faith in God and the prophet Samuel. His impatience got the best of him and he made a sacrifice before Samuel arrived. He really missed the big picture! Sacrificing isn't about impressing people or "saving face," it's all about connecting with God! And what could have been a forever kingdom of Saul came crumbling down into a temporary one because Saul was focused on temporary things!

So, let's give all glory to God! Let's not rejoice over the things we think we have control over. Or rejoice because we think we don't need the help of God...we ALWAYS do! No matter what! It's Him at work behind the scenes anyway, even when we don't see Him! We need to pray and seek His perfect Will so we don't miss the big picture-and the biggest picture being Heaven & eternity with Jesus Christ!