By John Stallings
Dear Oprah,
It would be redundant to say I know everything about you- as I do everyone else alive on planet earth.
I know that you were born to Vernon Winfrey & Vernita Lee in 1954 in Kosciusko Mississippi & you didn’t have auspicious beginnings.
You were named after Oprah from the book of Ruth in the Old Testament but the midwife misspelled your name when she was filling out the birth certificate. [Obviously I was never surprised that your name was really Harpo spelled backwards.]
You’ve done well in the money department amassing a 1.5 billion net worth. I know money isn’t the only measure of success, it’s not even a very good measure, but it’s certainly one measure. Abraham, Jacob, David & Solomon were wealthy. As you know, I’ve always been more concerned with what people did with the money they had, than how much they had.
One day a rich & successful young man came running to me telling me of his desire for eternal life. When I told him to go sell all he had & give to the poor, he went away very sad because he had many possessions. I wasn’t trying to make a poor man out of a rich man that day. Proverbs 19:17 says, He that hath pity on the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
I realize that you’re the object of criticism because of the vast amounts of money you make, but I also see you’ve been very generous with your money. I have no problem with people making large sums of money. I’m looking at your heart & what interests me is whether you have the money or the money has you. Like any good parent, I take pleasure in seeing my kids be successful, & remember, we pave our streets with gold in heaven.
I don’t expect everyone to be Billy Graham or Mother Theresa; neither do I expect everyone to take a vow of poverty. Quite the contrary. I have great expectations for everyone & expect each individual to have great accomplishments even though they won’t all translate into great amounts of money. I’ve given everyone gifts but they are diverse gifts & certainly people should use their talents & abilities to the fullest extent.
I take joy in the fact that you’ve come so far from that pig farm in rural Mississippi, knowing you spent the first third of your childhood living in poverty, both rural in Mississippi & ghetto in Milwaukee. Don’t even imagine that I’ve forgotten you were raped at 9 & were by your own admission out of control in those years.
Your website says the Oprah Show is the highest rated talk show in T.V history, seen by 46 million viewers each day in the U.S in 205 markets & in 134 countries. In fact your show has been the number one talk show for 21 consecutive seasons. Since its beginning in 1986 it has received 32 Emmy awards.
I know that you’re one of the most influential women in the world. Vanity Fair Magazine made this statement “Oprah Winfrey arguably has more influence on the culture than any university president, politician, or religious leader except perhaps the Pope.”
When you put your seal on a book in your club it’s guaranteed to become a major best seller. When you smile & nod at a guest who is teaching on any spiritual subject, people take it as a personal endorsement from the lady whom they invite into their homes as a friend on a daily basis.
And because you offer such a mix of New Age, Eastern, contemplative & past life teachings, you have the potential to influence people’s spiritual life & consequentially their eternal life. Here’s where you walk on a slippery-slope!
Oprah, on the opening of your website is the statement: “Want to get in Touch with your Soul? Oprah sits down with leading spiritual thinkers & authors to talk about matters of the soul.”
But now comes a warning,
Oprah. Since you were raised in church, you may remember what I told the Church in Ephesus, in the book of Revelation the second chapter.
Just as I’ve congratulated you, I congratulated them on all their accomplishments. I told them I was proud of their good works, their labor, & their patience. I complimented them for not tolerating evil, even exposing & purging out hypocritical apostles because they were found to be liars.
I expressed to the church my deep appreciation for their unflagging patience for my names sake & their standing firm when things got hard. But if you recall, I then told them I had something against them,-they had forsaken their first love. In other words, in their haste to do so many good & noble things, they stopped loving me like they used to love me. Then I called on this church in Ephesus to repent & return & start loving me like they did in their early days.
Oprah, I have the identical message for you. I remember you way back at that Faith United Mississippi Baptist Church when you were just a girl where they used to call you “Miss Jesus” or “The preacher.” The kids did it mostly out of jealousy because they knew how much you loved me & longed to serve me.
I also remember later when you moved in with your father in Nashville & you would go faithfully to the Progressive Missionary Baptist Church. You spoke in church now & then & once you even traveled to Los Angeles to speak to a church youth group. You were quite the young preacher.
I was thrilled about the incident one night in 1986 when you were in church after you’d begun to get well known because of your T.V show. A man asked for your autograph, & you said, “I don’t do autographs in church. Jesus is the star here.”
But these days Oprah, things aren’t right between us. You’ve gotten so far away from your first love for me that you’ve actually said some hurtful things. You made the statement, “Jesus didn’t come to tell us how divine He was, but to teach that divinity was within us.” You also said, “One of the biggest mistakes we make is to believe there is only one way. There are many diverse ways to God.” Oprah, have you forgotten what I said?
—I am the Way, the truth & the life. No one can come to the father except through me. [John 14:6]
Then you even went further with it saying, “There couldn’t possibly be only one way…does God care about your heart or whether you called His Son Jesus?” Actually Oprah, He does & so do I.
Have you forgotten who I am? Have you forgotten when I was baptized by John, a Dove came & sat on my shoulder & my father spoke out of heaven & said,
this is my beloved Son in whom I’m well pleased?”
Have you forgotten these words? -
There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved. [Acts 4:12.]
Don’t you remember my saying,
everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth I will also acknowledge before my heavenly Father, but everyone that denies me here on earth I will also deny before my father in heaven? [Matt.10:32-33.]
Oprah, I love you as I do everyone I’ve created but I must tell you you’ve put yourself in great danger by assuming the roll of teacher. My brother James made it clear that to take on the mantle of a teacher is a dangerous thing because teachers will be held accountable for what they tell people. [James 3:1]
Don’t forget, you have a congregation of many millions. Be careful what you teach & watch what you say! You’ll have to answer for every word of it at Judgment. You may say you’re not a teacher but the masses see you that way. You might not be preaching the gospel but you’re certainly preaching a gospel.
Remember, my words in Mark 9:42—
But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone hung around your neck? Remember Oprah that according to survey expert George Barna—you have an 83% favorability among born-again Christians.
The teachings on your show run the gamut from New Age, Eastern religions, self-help & reincarnation. Shirley McClain has spoken on your show describing how to meditate-- going inside yourself, asking your own “intuitive Self” to seek answers to life’s questions.
Oprah, you said, “When you are connected to your higher Self, knowing you can do anything you want to do-is what other people describe as “born again.” Oprah, Oprah, this isn’t what I described as being born again. This has nothing to do with my words in John 3:3-6 when I spoke one night to Nicodemus. He asked how a man could go back into his mother’s womb & be born again & I replied-I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water & of the Spirit. --Humans can only reproduce human life but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.
I know you’ve done a lot of good & have achieved a lot personally & professionally. I also know that you believe the teachings you espouse on your programs & in the books you so wholeheartedly recommend. You feel they only complete & compliment the Gospel, but the Gospel doesn’t need completing, it’s already complete.
You can’t substitute “presence” for me & I’m not the “God presence” or “self’ as it’s called in Eastern religions. Neither can you make a mix of Buddhism & Islamic thought, & then sprinkle in a misapplied Bible verse or two.
Oprah, you’re doing what you’re doing in the name of tolerance, & Satan is having a field day. No one wants to be accused of intolerance. But you see, there’s no connection between light & darkness. Heaven asks you the same question Elijah asked the people on Mt. Carmel, how long will you waver between two opinions?
I give to you the same message I give to all nations & all people; turn from your sin & receive my forgiveness. My hands are extended toward you, just humble yourself & receive my mercy.
Satan is playing for keeps & desires to drag as many as possible into eternal hellfire with him.
The choice is yours. As I told the Church at Laodicea,
-- I stand at the door & knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him and will sup with him and he with me. [Rev.3:20]
Love,
Jesus of Nazareth
Friday, October 18, 2013
Saturday, October 12, 2013
A leader With Class
By John Stallings
What is Class?
Class never runs scared. It is sure-footed and confident in the knowledge that you can meet life head on and handle whatever comes along.
Jacob had it. Esau didn't. Symbolically, we can look to Jacob's wrestling match with the angel. Those who have class have wrestled with their own personal angel and won a victory that marks them thereafter.
Class never makes excuses. It takes its lumps and learns from past mistakes.
Class is considerate of others. It knows that good manners are nothing more than a series of small sacrifices.
Class bespeaks an aristocracy that has nothing to do with ancestors or money. The most affluent blue-blood can be totally without class while the descendant of a Welsh miner may ooze class from every pore.
Class never tries to build itself up by tearing others down. Class is already up and need not strive to look better by making others look worse.
Class can "walk with kings and keep its virtue and talk with crowds and keep the common touch." Everyone is comfortable with the person who has class because he is comfortable with himself.
If you have class you don't need much of anything else. If you don't have it, no matter what else you have, it doesn't make much difference.--Ann Landers Encyclopedia
If you attend church regularly; you’ve probably heard Hannah preached on many times.
What a story it is. She was childless, & was chided by her husband’s other wife for being barren. Then because of her right attitude & prayerful spirit God broke that cycle of her life by giving her Samuel. Then other children came.
Hannah had promised her first son to the Lord so at the appointed time she took Samuel to Eli the priest & he grew up under the aging man’s tutelage. Samuel’s calling was spectacular for he was called as a child by the audible voice of God. One night he heard a voice calling him repeatedly & went to Eli who told him the next time he heard the voice to answer, Speak Lord for thy servant heareth.
Samuel was the last & best judge of Israel & had a transitional ministry. Under his watch the judges were ushered out & the kings were ushered in. However Samuel & his Godly advice weren’t always well received by Israel but he maintained a steadfast walk with God & has few equals.
SUDDENLY SAMUEL DISCOVERED THAT HE WASN’T WANTED ANYMORE.The last years of Samuel’s life however weren’t so pleasant. The transition from the old order of judges to the new order of the monarchy was a painful experience for him. He made a mistake when he appointed his two sons as judges. 1 Samuel 8:1-3. These boys were scoundrels. They weren’t as bad as Eli’s boys; Eli’s boys were immoral while Samuel’s boys were mostly unethical. Samuel was guilty of nepotism & ignorance but he wasn’t a money-grubbing deceiver. He never took a dime from the people (1Sam.12:3-4) but his sons used their father’s position to profit in a profligate manner.
We don’t know why Samuel appointed his sons; it may have been that there just wasn’t anyone else he felt could do the job. Or it may have just been a lapse of judgment.
A PIVOTAL POINT IN SAMUEL’S LEADERSHIP CAME WHEN HE WASN’T ABLE TO STEER STUBBORN ISRAEL AWAY FROM THEIR DEMAND FOR A KING.
Have you ever been in a situation where you felt your influence & leadership was failing to be effectual? You have a feeling that your record no longer counts for anything, all your former ties are strained, you used to be looked up to but now what you do or say doesn’t carry much weight. The sacrifices you made are no longer looked at as a big thing, people think, “you just did what anybody would have done, no big deal.” The question “what part of -it’s over- don’t you get” might well be asked of you.
Samuel’s sons made him look bad to the people & they flat-out faced him with it. They told him he was getting old (just under 60—big deal) & his sons weren’t cutting it so their answer was, appoint us a king.
The people might even have used the old saying;" Samuel, this isn't really personal. The last thing we'd ever want is to see you suffer.
Samuel wasn’t happy at all about the king idea. He was right to feel that his children had let him down, the Israelites had let him down, the elders had let him down and deep down in his heart of hearts he felt he’d let himself & the Lord down. How else could he explain how his kids had turned out to be such bad boys?”
LOOK HOW SAMUEL RESPONDS TO HIS LEADERSHIP PROBLEMS.
The elders were pressuring him to quit. They had it all figured out for him. Samuel was feeling hurt, backed into a corner & disrespected in the worst way he could imagine. He didn’t threaten to call it quits, take an early retirement or jump on the bus. He did what his mother did; he went to God in prayer. 1 Sam.8:6. Samuel was deeply troubled & probably hopping mad but he didn’t lose his composure. He prayed about it asking God for wisdom, direction & patience.
Sometimes the decline of a leader’s influence & abilities doesn’t mean that he or she is washed up. It may just mean that they can no longer lead in the same capacity. At some point a subtle line was crossed, a corner was turned. It doesn’t mean that they are over & done with it just means that their role as leader will be different. Such a time came in the life of Samuel the prophet as he grew older. Even though his role changed he still continued to be an important leader.
Samuel hadn’t put his head in the sand; he was the first to recognize things were changing that’s why he appointed his two sons to help. It wasn’t Samuel’s fault that his sons turned out to be a big disappointment. At least he was forward looking enough to think of his mortality. I’ve seen leaders who refused to think of the time they would no longer be around. They refused to mentor another person to fill their shoes or even consider training & depositing into the lives of others the things they’ve learned that would be invaluable to the individual who someday filled their shoes.
• A GOOD LEADER WILL HELP PEOPLE IDENTIFY THEIR PURPOSE & CAST A VISION FOR THE FUTURE.
• A GOOD LEADER WILL HELP THE PEOPLE ESTABLISH GOALS & IMPLEMENT PLANS TO HELP THEM SUCCESSFULLY ACHIEVE THOSE GOALS.
• A GOOD LEADER WILL DEVELOP CONSENSUS, BUILD COHESIVENESS, CREATE HARMONY & FOSTER UNITY.
• A GOOD LEADER WILL INSPIRE PEOPLE TO GREATER EFFICIENCY & EFFECTIVENESS & WILL ENCOURAGE THEM TO REACH THEIR POTENTIAL & MAXIMIZE THEIR ABILITIES.
• IF A LEADER FINDS THAT HE/SHE CAN NO LONGER FULFILL THEIR RESPONSIBILITY, THEY SHOULD DELEGATE SOME OF THE RESPONSIBILITY OR ALLOW SOMEONE ELSE TO TAKE THEIR PLACE.
Samuel knew that what the people were asking for was wrong. They had no clue as to what was in store for them. The kings they were asking for were going to be worse than Samuel’s sons. God had run the kings & nations out the front door & Israel let them in the back door. Israel had been an exalted nation but alas, they just wanted to be like their neighbors. One of the problems was that their neighbors were idol worshippers.
Samuel’s maturity, humility & Godliness were manifest that day. After God had “loaded his gun” with truth he still didn’t scoff at the people. He didn’t squabble or scream at them or throw a conniption fit. He had within his power to let them have it with God’s words but he left out the choice words, the best parts that would have vindicated him before the people. He didn’t lecture them on their collective rejection of God, or their personal wrong against him, even though God said --What they’re doing to me, so they are doing to you. The people had made personal accusations but he didn’t take them personally. Neither did he gloat at their mistake, or their folly. As a matter of fact nowhere in all of this did Samuel mention himself.
What a class act!
He did tell them in no uncertain terms what having a king would be like for them, but describing it was as far as it went. There was no coercion on his part even though it displeased him greatly. To him it was all about the Lord & His people & their relationship to Him. Though Samuel wasn’t pleased he didn’t get his knickers in a knot over it & end up grievously disturbed & resentful. Samuel reminded himself what God had said:--It is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.
Samuel's’ life wasn’t narcissistic; it wasn’t about him it was always about the Lord & others. He tells the people—far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. He knew that to refuse to pray for them was malicious & spiteful. If we want something to compare Samuel’s conduct with, all we have to do is look at Moses who when frustrated, called the people rebels. Num.20:10.
God had already foretold that someday this would happen; the people would demand a king. He also told the people exactly what would happen to them when they got their king. In his next & also his last speech to Israel, given immediately after King Saul’s public coronation, Samuel spoke from the heart to the people. He knew as well as he knew his name what heartache laid in store for them but still he didn’t cajole or arm-twist to get them to reconsider.
And reconsider they certainly didn’t, even after hearing what a king would be like. But Israel almost never changed. It’s always the same old song with them. They were headstrong, obstinate & rebellious & their prophets told them so. Generations later when the Apostle Paul preached to them he’d say things like-- Oh foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you….or…blindness in part has happened to Israel. Rom.11:25.
To the bitter end Samuel was optimistic in word & at heart. It’s almost as if he knew trouble was in the wings but still was just hoping it wouldn’t happen.
Have you been rejected & seen your dreams & plans crumble before your eyes. Have you been tempted to lash out & get vindication? Ask yourself as Samuel did; are you serving God or man? When you’re not appreciated as you should be do you have the right stuff to withstand it & do right when everybody is doing you wrong?
The people rejected Samuel’s advice but Samuel accepted God’s advice. When he saw what was happening he went to God & God told him—Listen to the voice of the people & appoint them a king. So Samuel said unto the men of Israel, go every man to his own city. 1 Sam.8:21-22.
GOD WAS GOING TO GIVE THE PEOPLE WHAT THEY WANTED—A KING.
It’s reminiscent of Psalm 106:15—And He gave them their request but sent leanness to their soul. God’s position was the same then as it is now & always has been. He simply refuses to make his creation a puppet-on-a-string. To Him love & devotion that’s coerced isn’t love at all & He’s not interested.
Samuel may not have understood God’s strategy but he obeyed & took the necessary steps to implement it. God doesn’t always do things the way we want & He doesn’t always do things the way we think they should be done. But we must always remember to submit our plans to Him.
If you’re on the missions committee, the deacon board, a Sunday school teacher, nursery worker, trustee, treasurer, musician, office worker, kitchen helper, publicity worker, or youth group worker, you must always bring your plans to God. Samuel went to God & sought His leadership.
Jesus is the head of His church & we are simply the servants. We serve not to gain prestige & power but simply to serve God & His people. When we do this we will have great significance in His kingdom.
The day came when Samuel’s ability to lead the people changed but even though his role changed, his superlative attitude made him useable to God until the day he died. Turning your power over to someone else is never easy. Admitting that things didn’t turn out as well as expected is never easy. Samuel experienced all of these things. He must have had many sleepless nights & many days of confusion & uneasiness. But under God & with Samuel’s steady hand Israel came through the transition. Samuel lived to a ripe old age & died in peace & honor among his people.
Is there something in front of you that you’d rather avoid? Maybe you’re on the threshold of change & things aren’t all that clear to you. Perhaps you’re beginning to realize that something you worked hard to accomplish isn’t going to work out. Follow the example of Samuel & stay connected with God & His people. You can’t see God but He can see you & He has you in His sights. He hasn’t forgotten you, though it may sometimes feel that He has. Your story & testimony can turn out as victoriously as Samuel’s did.
The answer is in Hebrews 12:2 …..Looking unto Jesus the author & finisher of our faith….
We must fix our eyes on Him because if we look hard at anything else we will doubtless lose hope.
Blessings,
John
What is Class?
Class never runs scared. It is sure-footed and confident in the knowledge that you can meet life head on and handle whatever comes along.
Jacob had it. Esau didn't. Symbolically, we can look to Jacob's wrestling match with the angel. Those who have class have wrestled with their own personal angel and won a victory that marks them thereafter.
Class never makes excuses. It takes its lumps and learns from past mistakes.
Class is considerate of others. It knows that good manners are nothing more than a series of small sacrifices.
Class bespeaks an aristocracy that has nothing to do with ancestors or money. The most affluent blue-blood can be totally without class while the descendant of a Welsh miner may ooze class from every pore.
Class never tries to build itself up by tearing others down. Class is already up and need not strive to look better by making others look worse.
Class can "walk with kings and keep its virtue and talk with crowds and keep the common touch." Everyone is comfortable with the person who has class because he is comfortable with himself.
If you have class you don't need much of anything else. If you don't have it, no matter what else you have, it doesn't make much difference.--Ann Landers Encyclopedia
If you attend church regularly; you’ve probably heard Hannah preached on many times.
What a story it is. She was childless, & was chided by her husband’s other wife for being barren. Then because of her right attitude & prayerful spirit God broke that cycle of her life by giving her Samuel. Then other children came.
Hannah had promised her first son to the Lord so at the appointed time she took Samuel to Eli the priest & he grew up under the aging man’s tutelage. Samuel’s calling was spectacular for he was called as a child by the audible voice of God. One night he heard a voice calling him repeatedly & went to Eli who told him the next time he heard the voice to answer, Speak Lord for thy servant heareth.
Samuel was the last & best judge of Israel & had a transitional ministry. Under his watch the judges were ushered out & the kings were ushered in. However Samuel & his Godly advice weren’t always well received by Israel but he maintained a steadfast walk with God & has few equals.
SUDDENLY SAMUEL DISCOVERED THAT HE WASN’T WANTED ANYMORE.The last years of Samuel’s life however weren’t so pleasant. The transition from the old order of judges to the new order of the monarchy was a painful experience for him. He made a mistake when he appointed his two sons as judges. 1 Samuel 8:1-3. These boys were scoundrels. They weren’t as bad as Eli’s boys; Eli’s boys were immoral while Samuel’s boys were mostly unethical. Samuel was guilty of nepotism & ignorance but he wasn’t a money-grubbing deceiver. He never took a dime from the people (1Sam.12:3-4) but his sons used their father’s position to profit in a profligate manner.
We don’t know why Samuel appointed his sons; it may have been that there just wasn’t anyone else he felt could do the job. Or it may have just been a lapse of judgment.
A PIVOTAL POINT IN SAMUEL’S LEADERSHIP CAME WHEN HE WASN’T ABLE TO STEER STUBBORN ISRAEL AWAY FROM THEIR DEMAND FOR A KING.
Have you ever been in a situation where you felt your influence & leadership was failing to be effectual? You have a feeling that your record no longer counts for anything, all your former ties are strained, you used to be looked up to but now what you do or say doesn’t carry much weight. The sacrifices you made are no longer looked at as a big thing, people think, “you just did what anybody would have done, no big deal.” The question “what part of -it’s over- don’t you get” might well be asked of you.
Samuel’s sons made him look bad to the people & they flat-out faced him with it. They told him he was getting old (just under 60—big deal) & his sons weren’t cutting it so their answer was, appoint us a king.
The people might even have used the old saying;" Samuel, this isn't really personal. The last thing we'd ever want is to see you suffer.
Samuel wasn’t happy at all about the king idea. He was right to feel that his children had let him down, the Israelites had let him down, the elders had let him down and deep down in his heart of hearts he felt he’d let himself & the Lord down. How else could he explain how his kids had turned out to be such bad boys?”
LOOK HOW SAMUEL RESPONDS TO HIS LEADERSHIP PROBLEMS.
The elders were pressuring him to quit. They had it all figured out for him. Samuel was feeling hurt, backed into a corner & disrespected in the worst way he could imagine. He didn’t threaten to call it quits, take an early retirement or jump on the bus. He did what his mother did; he went to God in prayer. 1 Sam.8:6. Samuel was deeply troubled & probably hopping mad but he didn’t lose his composure. He prayed about it asking God for wisdom, direction & patience.
Sometimes the decline of a leader’s influence & abilities doesn’t mean that he or she is washed up. It may just mean that they can no longer lead in the same capacity. At some point a subtle line was crossed, a corner was turned. It doesn’t mean that they are over & done with it just means that their role as leader will be different. Such a time came in the life of Samuel the prophet as he grew older. Even though his role changed he still continued to be an important leader.
Samuel hadn’t put his head in the sand; he was the first to recognize things were changing that’s why he appointed his two sons to help. It wasn’t Samuel’s fault that his sons turned out to be a big disappointment. At least he was forward looking enough to think of his mortality. I’ve seen leaders who refused to think of the time they would no longer be around. They refused to mentor another person to fill their shoes or even consider training & depositing into the lives of others the things they’ve learned that would be invaluable to the individual who someday filled their shoes.
• A GOOD LEADER WILL HELP PEOPLE IDENTIFY THEIR PURPOSE & CAST A VISION FOR THE FUTURE.
• A GOOD LEADER WILL HELP THE PEOPLE ESTABLISH GOALS & IMPLEMENT PLANS TO HELP THEM SUCCESSFULLY ACHIEVE THOSE GOALS.
• A GOOD LEADER WILL DEVELOP CONSENSUS, BUILD COHESIVENESS, CREATE HARMONY & FOSTER UNITY.
• A GOOD LEADER WILL INSPIRE PEOPLE TO GREATER EFFICIENCY & EFFECTIVENESS & WILL ENCOURAGE THEM TO REACH THEIR POTENTIAL & MAXIMIZE THEIR ABILITIES.
• IF A LEADER FINDS THAT HE/SHE CAN NO LONGER FULFILL THEIR RESPONSIBILITY, THEY SHOULD DELEGATE SOME OF THE RESPONSIBILITY OR ALLOW SOMEONE ELSE TO TAKE THEIR PLACE.
Samuel knew that what the people were asking for was wrong. They had no clue as to what was in store for them. The kings they were asking for were going to be worse than Samuel’s sons. God had run the kings & nations out the front door & Israel let them in the back door. Israel had been an exalted nation but alas, they just wanted to be like their neighbors. One of the problems was that their neighbors were idol worshippers.
Samuel’s maturity, humility & Godliness were manifest that day. After God had “loaded his gun” with truth he still didn’t scoff at the people. He didn’t squabble or scream at them or throw a conniption fit. He had within his power to let them have it with God’s words but he left out the choice words, the best parts that would have vindicated him before the people. He didn’t lecture them on their collective rejection of God, or their personal wrong against him, even though God said --What they’re doing to me, so they are doing to you. The people had made personal accusations but he didn’t take them personally. Neither did he gloat at their mistake, or their folly. As a matter of fact nowhere in all of this did Samuel mention himself.
What a class act!
He did tell them in no uncertain terms what having a king would be like for them, but describing it was as far as it went. There was no coercion on his part even though it displeased him greatly. To him it was all about the Lord & His people & their relationship to Him. Though Samuel wasn’t pleased he didn’t get his knickers in a knot over it & end up grievously disturbed & resentful. Samuel reminded himself what God had said:--It is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.
Samuel's’ life wasn’t narcissistic; it wasn’t about him it was always about the Lord & others. He tells the people—far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. He knew that to refuse to pray for them was malicious & spiteful. If we want something to compare Samuel’s conduct with, all we have to do is look at Moses who when frustrated, called the people rebels. Num.20:10.
God had already foretold that someday this would happen; the people would demand a king. He also told the people exactly what would happen to them when they got their king. In his next & also his last speech to Israel, given immediately after King Saul’s public coronation, Samuel spoke from the heart to the people. He knew as well as he knew his name what heartache laid in store for them but still he didn’t cajole or arm-twist to get them to reconsider.
And reconsider they certainly didn’t, even after hearing what a king would be like. But Israel almost never changed. It’s always the same old song with them. They were headstrong, obstinate & rebellious & their prophets told them so. Generations later when the Apostle Paul preached to them he’d say things like-- Oh foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you….or…blindness in part has happened to Israel. Rom.11:25.
To the bitter end Samuel was optimistic in word & at heart. It’s almost as if he knew trouble was in the wings but still was just hoping it wouldn’t happen.
Have you been rejected & seen your dreams & plans crumble before your eyes. Have you been tempted to lash out & get vindication? Ask yourself as Samuel did; are you serving God or man? When you’re not appreciated as you should be do you have the right stuff to withstand it & do right when everybody is doing you wrong?
The people rejected Samuel’s advice but Samuel accepted God’s advice. When he saw what was happening he went to God & God told him—Listen to the voice of the people & appoint them a king. So Samuel said unto the men of Israel, go every man to his own city. 1 Sam.8:21-22.
GOD WAS GOING TO GIVE THE PEOPLE WHAT THEY WANTED—A KING.
It’s reminiscent of Psalm 106:15—And He gave them their request but sent leanness to their soul. God’s position was the same then as it is now & always has been. He simply refuses to make his creation a puppet-on-a-string. To Him love & devotion that’s coerced isn’t love at all & He’s not interested.
Samuel may not have understood God’s strategy but he obeyed & took the necessary steps to implement it. God doesn’t always do things the way we want & He doesn’t always do things the way we think they should be done. But we must always remember to submit our plans to Him.
If you’re on the missions committee, the deacon board, a Sunday school teacher, nursery worker, trustee, treasurer, musician, office worker, kitchen helper, publicity worker, or youth group worker, you must always bring your plans to God. Samuel went to God & sought His leadership.
Jesus is the head of His church & we are simply the servants. We serve not to gain prestige & power but simply to serve God & His people. When we do this we will have great significance in His kingdom.
The day came when Samuel’s ability to lead the people changed but even though his role changed, his superlative attitude made him useable to God until the day he died. Turning your power over to someone else is never easy. Admitting that things didn’t turn out as well as expected is never easy. Samuel experienced all of these things. He must have had many sleepless nights & many days of confusion & uneasiness. But under God & with Samuel’s steady hand Israel came through the transition. Samuel lived to a ripe old age & died in peace & honor among his people.
Is there something in front of you that you’d rather avoid? Maybe you’re on the threshold of change & things aren’t all that clear to you. Perhaps you’re beginning to realize that something you worked hard to accomplish isn’t going to work out. Follow the example of Samuel & stay connected with God & His people. You can’t see God but He can see you & He has you in His sights. He hasn’t forgotten you, though it may sometimes feel that He has. Your story & testimony can turn out as victoriously as Samuel’s did.
The answer is in Hebrews 12:2 …..Looking unto Jesus the author & finisher of our faith….
We must fix our eyes on Him because if we look hard at anything else we will doubtless lose hope.
Blessings,
John
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