Praise the LORD! Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!1
Over the weekend I had an insightful conversation. He said, “I realize that God is constant; we are the ones who aren’t. If we feel God is distant, it is we who gear away from him.” To emphasize the fact, King David declared twice in the chapters of the Psalm that he authored that God’s steadfast love endures forever—Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!2
Prior to David’s reign, Israel had no king.3 Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.4 They were instead led by judges. God was their King. But the people turned from the Lord and began to worship other gods (just as we have elevated ourselves as king).
Meantime, Hannah had prayed for a son; and the Lord granted her petition. Therefore I have lent him [Samuel] to the LORD. As long as he lives, he is lent to the LORD.5 Now the boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the LORD and also with man.6 . . . the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel . . . knew that Samuel was established as a prophet of the LORD. And the LORD appeared again at Shiloh, for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the LORD.7 When Samuel became old, Israel demanded a king—“Behold, you are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations.” But the thing displeased Samuel. . . . And Samuel prayed to the LORD.8 The LORD instructed Samuel to heed their desire—they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me form being king over them.9
Saul was chosen to be king.10 Samuel told Saul, stop here yourself for a while, that I may make known to you the word of God.11 Do we make it a practice to stop whatever we are doing that we may hear from God? Samuel set an appointed time and place to offer offerings to the Lord. Seven days you shall wait, until I come to you and show you what you shall do.12
The Philistines went out to fight Israel. When the men of Israel saw that they were in trouble, the people hid themselves in caves and in holes and in rocks and in tombs and in cisterns.13 Saul couldn’t WAIT! Instead, he offered the burnt offerings himself.14 As soon as he had finished offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came. . . . “What have you done?” Saul feared—“. . . So I forced myself, and offered the burnt offering.”15
Trust God; he is never late nor early but always precisely on time!16 His commands may seem illogical at times,17 but he tests our hearts to see if we would obey.18
Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.19
Notes:
1. Psalm 106:1
2. Psalm 106:1b; 107:1
3. Judges 17:6a, 18:1a; 19:1, 21:25a
4. Judges 17:6b, 21:25b
5. 1 Samuel 1:26-28
6. 1 Samuel 2:26
7. 1 Samuel 3:19-21
8. 1 Samuel 8:1-6
9. 1 Samuel 8:7
10. 1 Samuel 9:1-2, 15-17
11. 1 Samuel 9:27
12. 1 Samuel 10:1-8
13. 1 Samuel 13:5-7
14. 1 Samuel 13:8-9
15. 1 Samuel 13:10-14
16. Proverbs 3:5-6
17. Isaiah 55:8-9
18. James 1:3; 1 Peter 1:7
19. Proverbs 16:20
