1 Samuel Overview Part 6 - Humbleness

Have we heard the voice of God? Have we heard the reason of putting us in our fields for the 4 gospelizations? It is not that we have fixed this goal so that we aim for it. This goal has already been fixed for us since the creation of the world. We are called. Our belief starts from Him. Whatever encounters we have, there is a reason for His calling. Therefore, we shall ask God what voices we may not have heard so that we missed the reason of His calling. Though this is a small church, God continually speaks. He also continually speaks in our families so that His will can be accomplished. Let not His words fall onto deafen ears, or we will become like Saul, who became a negative lesson for all.

Do we want to become a positive demonstration, just like David’s life in the whole history of mankind, such that what we do would be remembered? Saul was born in the most important age. He started from the Spirit, but died in the flesh. If we have read 1 Samuel, we will find Saul and David of great contrast. Saul’s conditions were very good, and his appearance was kingly. However, he did not get the help of Ebenezer God. David went through the worst life anyone could not have imagined. He was anointed king but became a servant, and was in danger of being killed. His wife left him. David’s psalms must be read with 1 Samuel. God is living and actually has all His perfect will, but Saul continued to live his own way. This is not being humble. David was different and was humble in wanting to learn the Lord. In situations that were difficult, he learnt from the Lord. In Psalm 23, even though he walked in the valley of death, he sought the perfect will of God. Therefore, what does God hate most? They are stubbornness and pride. God tells us to change, but we do not. God shows us failure repeatedly, but we still do not want to turn to Him. We ignore the voice of God, and seek those which accord to our desire. Eventually, the voice of God stops convicting and Saul’s mental problem will come upon us. This is a message for the church of this age.

Let us ask God. What perfect will have I not heard from Him? Do we continue to want to solve something? Do we continue to hear things that are negative? When we wake up in the morning, do we bring a lousy feeling? Do we get lots of hints about not having enough time, being tired because of inadequate sleep, etc? For me, I do not let these remain. No matter how tired I am, into the room I go and I hold a meeting with God. We must put in effort in this. Take also another step to be humble to learn. Take another step to get right with people, and to have more wisdom in doing things. This is called being a Christian. Do up our main task first, which is to be humble before God. Then do your sub-tasks, which is your work. In this, we will then not fail because the roaring lion of the world is waiting to subdue us at every moment. Saul only heard people saying that “Saul had slain thousands, and David had slain tens of thousands”, and he could not accept it. This very root is not being humble before God, not to say the least, being humble before men.

*Mizpah Movement

Emmanuel is the meaning of Ebenezer, the help of God. This movement breaks down 400 years of darkness. Only one who desires to do the Mizpah Movement will see Emmanuel, and see God working for and helping him always.

1) The reason of turning to God

Have we seen the reason to turn to God as soon as possible?

2) The precious blood of Jesus Christ (sacrifice): Prayer

God does not want your sacrifice, but your very heart. When we give our heart to Him, He does everything for us. Turning to God = turning to prayer. We turn to God to confirm, to test and seek.

(1) The heart of the Child of God

When we come to God, let our sorrows stop. We already have everything and we are complete. Only pray, “Lord, instruct me. Though I am weak, I know You love me most. Though I was dead, You sought and died for me.” Why is it that man struggles? This is because we have not met Him.

(2) Confirm (already came upon me)

Why have God let me walk this path, or meet with this situation, have such parents, have such a spouse, etc? What God has given is the already the best. Confirm that they are.

(3) Test and seek and submit

Test and seek during intercession for myself, and then others. If we still have spiritual difficulty, we shall pray to ask that God use our situation. After testing and seeking, we will know that we must be central, together with the body of Christ. Testimonies must be discovered. Even for a preacher, if he only preaches and there is not testing and seeking to find the works of God, he is sinning. We must do this word movement. If we just do the word movement, be it taking care of a small church or in equipping ourselves, God will open up and use the small things we do.

3) Evangelism (Emmanuel movement)

Do we want to enter into quarrels when trying to evangelize? However, if we get wisdom while living with people, evangelism will naturally and surely move them.

4) Disciples (main character)

When people heard the gospel after being preached to, discern to see if they are following the Lord.

This is the Mizpah Movement. We have already won. Do not fight a battle, as we will surely lose. If we work out, spiritual muscles will develop. In the past, our nature may really be bad. However, if we accumulate blessings by continually seeing God in prayers, we will change more and more. Handling well in inter-personal relationships and having wisdom come this way.

The difference between David and Saul

Samuel’s two children were different from those of Eli. Though they might have been in flesh, their whole life will be okay because of Samuel’s life. However, they could not lead an era. God’s original intent was to become a King Himself to lead Israel in the Mizpah Movement. Therefore, when Israel wanted a king, God and Samuel were displeased.

It was not that Samuel prophesized that Saul’s days are numbered because of his one-time disobedience. But Samuel knew that Saul did not have the essence of the Mizpah Movement. Following on, Saul seemed to repent, but he was not like Hezekiah, who fell once by showing the Gentiles the glory of the temple. He repented. It was because of his kingship that he asked Samuel to return. As for David, when people spoke badly of him, he acknowledged that and let them be. God will not use the appearance, skills and knowledge that are born with a person, like Saul. There was one thing Saul did not have that David had. The crux is whether the conditions, possessions and character that one has have gone through death and resurrection. If the beauty and gentleness that one is born with have not gone through death and resurrection, they will attract flies instead of bees.

1) God-driven (God’s word, Christ, Holy Spirit)

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1) Humanism (men’s perspective, method)

2) Called, graced, beloved, blessed (reconciled with God)

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2) Legalism, routine (fear = enemize against God)

3) Glorify God, benefit men, establish Kingdom (four gospelizations)

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3) Centered on self (man’s motive, purpose)

-> Saul on kingship

4) Humble, test and approve, submit and follow (converse with God, walk with God)

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4) Self-conceived righteousness (proud, judge)

-> Thousands vs tens of thousands. One sentence made Saul hurt for his whole life. Shimei slandered David but David heard a reminder from God. David cut a piece of cloth off Saul’s garment and was guilt-stricken. He told off his father-in-law from afar and Saul repented actually! However, when he went back home, the evil spirit made him go after David for killing him again. Does it ring a bell that we can receive joy in meetings, yet go back home and suffer?

5) Correspond fittingly with men (Living centered on parts of the Body)

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5) Cannot agree with people (solitarize, compare, quarrel)

-> Everyone was afraid of Saul. Even his daughter supported David rather than her own father. David’s defence minister, Abishai, was on David’s chest. Who will be able to follow in the worst situation? I look at this to judge who will co-work with me for their whole lives.

6) Anytime, any place, any matter (practical, evidence, increasingly)

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6) Special place, experience (Mystical, fake)

7) Freedom, rest, easy (Authority, power)

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7) Influenced by man’s word, condition, surroundings (continuation of ups and downs of excitement or discouragement)

Taken from Discipleship Training on 2th Feb 2007, 1Samuel Overview Part 6.