1 Samuel 11
Deadline. The word itself reads death. No wonder it creates panic and stress and horror. For a student, it says goodbye to sleep; in the workplace, it’s when the boss is everyone’s enemy; in the home, we call it bills and to some, more credits. But there’s nothing dread-er than when life is at stake. The men of Jabesh only have seven days before the Ammonites gouge out their right eyes and become their slaves. They hoped that the rest of Israel would come to deliver them. How sad that they never thought of God :< Fast rewind to eternity past and God already made His rescue. Being Provider (pro-video) means He ‘saw before’ our situations and help is as good as GO. Even before they asked for a king, He wired Saul that when he hears the defenseless cry, he’ll switch ON to offensive mode. Without a single military experience, he was able to unite his people, strategize an attack and slaughter the enemies. It is undeniably God! For who else could foresee their victory at its exact time? Knowing WHO saved them is just half of this story, the other half asks WHY. Being rejected as King, we would understand if He would withhold His hand a bit, let them suffer awhile, just so they’d realize their need for Him. Try rebellion with your family, unfaithfulness with your better half, or betrayal with your friends, and most of them will wish you bad so you’d come back begging on your knees. But unlike man, God is never a reactor. He doesn’t do something because we did this or do that. He saved us all while we were still sinners, and regardless of our response. He is forever the Initiator, and from Him every good and perfect gift.
Application:
When opportunity knocks, I am one of those who readily opens the door without thinking. It’s been a long time since I updated my profile and given the need, the list would show some items my friends would never thought I was capable of doing. Let’s name a few. I said YES to being the choreographer of the Senate Choir early 2000. Sounds simple? But did you ever saw me dance? Horrible idea! hahaha!! Also around that time, I played first key to a recording of fourteen songs. You’d say I’m a music graduate, that’s no big deal. But ask my Windsong family and they’d say they rather have me host a program than play the keyboard! Mind you, we even had a live concert of that album at Camp Aguinaldo. Unimagineable! Of course it’s a different foolishness if I applied to a chemical company or an accounting firm. At least I have an inch of potential in my gigs. And God honored my mustard seed faith (and my love for my friends) and moved some mountains! What am I saying here: so many people are taking so much time thinking, even using the excuse of ‘will pray about it’, before giving a YES to God’s invitation. They want to cover all sides and make sure nothing will fail before they allow their names to be part of it. I understand the issue of excellence and preparedness. I took pains in pulling those off. Some people doubted Saul’s inexperience to lead Israel. But he never ran from it. And that was enough for God to work wonders through him. All it takes is a willing heart and a big God.
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