Why it Matters - Chosen

Readings for today: 1 Samuel 9-12

One of the fundamental themes that runs throughout the Scriptures is the idea that God chooses us before we choose Him. God chose Noah and his family. God chose Abraham and Sarah. God chose Isaac. God chose Jacob. God chose Joseph. God chose Moses. God chose Joshua. God chose each one of the judges of Israel. God chose Samuel. And today, we read about God choosing Saul. Saul did not set out to be king, in fact, he set out to find some donkeys! Little did he know what God had in store for him. God orchestrates a meeting with Samuel, tells Samuel who to look for, and the next thing you know, Saul is anointed Israel’s first king. No one is as shocked as Saul at this crazy turn of events. Born into the smallest clan of the smallest tribe, it seems Saul had no designs on leadership of any kind but after Samuel anoints him, the Spirit of the Lord comes upon him, equipping and empowering him for his work.

I often look back over the course of my life and marvel at all God has done. He chose me when I was a drunk and failing out of college at CU. (Talk about searching for donkeys!) He chose me when I had no ministry credentials or experience or background that would suggest I would make a decent pastor. He chose to send me to Princeton where I had no business getting accepted with my grades being as poor as they were. He chose Overlook Presbyterian Church in Mobile, AL to be my first call. An amazing church with an amazing heart for God where a young pastor could learn what it meant to love God and love His people. He chose Sun Prairie, WI to humble me and strip my life down to the studs so I would learn what it means to fear the Lord. He chose Parker Evangelical Presbyterian Church to rebuild heal my soul, rebuild my faith, and restore my trust in Him and His people. It’s been an amazing ride. One I could never have planned on my own. Yes, every time God chose me, I needed to choose Him in return but God was always the initiator.

What about you? When you think back over the course of your life, where do you see the hand of God at work? Can you identify those moments when God chose to save you or set you apart for a special task? Do you believe in God’s providential plan for your life? Do you walk with open hands and an open heart before Him?

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Samuel 13-16

Chosen

Readings for today: Genesis 12-13

Genesis 12 is perhaps the seminal chapter in the Book of Genesis. It begins with the call to a man named Abram. God choosing one man from one family, one clan, and one tribe descended from Noah’s oldest son, Shem, to become the father of a new nation. A great nation. God’s nation. The nation of Israel. Interestingly enough, it’s the same call God essentially gave to Adam and Eve as well as Noah and his family. Be fruitful. Multiply. Fill the earth. Have dominion. Only this time, God isn’t going to leave it up to Abram. Because human beings remain so prone to evil, God steps in and says,

• I will make you into a great nation. (Be fruitful)

• All the families of the earth will bless one another by your name. (Multiply)

• Go out from your country, your relatives, and your father’s household to the land I will show you. (Fill the earth) 

• I will bless you and I will make your name great, so that you will exemplify divine blessing (Have dominion)

All that sounds well and good except Abram’s got some issues! He is 75 years old which is not the best time in life to be starting over. His wife Sarai is barren and their childlessness is a source of incredible shame. He has to leave yet another city (Haran) where he had put down roots to go to an unknown place. When he finally arrives in the Promised Land, there is a famine. This drives him to Egypt where he fears for his life. He lies about his relationship with Sarai which puts God’s promise at risk. He returns from Egypt only to experience so much conflict with his nephew, they have to separate. Life was certainly not easy for Abram!  

And yet the call of God remains. After everything is said and done and Abram’s finally found a good spot to settle down, God speaks to him again

• Look from the place where you stand to the north, south, east, and west. I will give all the land that you see to you and your descendants forever. (Fill the earth)

• I will make your descendants like the dust of the earth, so that if one can count the dust of the earth, then your descendants also can be counted. (Be fruitful. Multiply)

• Get up and walk throughout the land, for I will give it to you. (Have dominion)

God’s promise will be fulfilled. Not because Abram is faithful. Not because Abram is righteous. Not because Abram found favor with God. But because God is all these things and more! God will bring about His will on the earth! God will deliver on His promises! God will fulfill His purposes! And it doesn’t really matter what humanity does or doesn’t do. God will bring His plan to pass!

Does this give you hope today? To know He is at work in your life right now making you fruitful? Multiplying you in ways you cannot begin to imagine? Sending you out to fill the earth with His image and glory? Giving you dominion over all He has made? Does it take the pressure off a bit? Knowing that God will accomplish this in your life? I hope so! And like Abram, it doesn’t matter what obstacles stand in your way! God is faithful! In Christ, His promises are sure! In Christ, His promises will come to pass! In Christ, He will fulfill His plan and purpose for our lives!  

Readings for tomorrow: Genesis 14-16