1 Samuel 19:18-24 (CLICK HERE FOR BIBLE VERSES)
Hi GAMErs,
Today in 1 Samuel 19:18-24 we learn a third way that God protects us.
1 Samuel 19:18-24 (NIV)
18 When David had fled and made his escape, he went to Samuel at Ramah and told him all that Saul had done to him. Then he and Samuel went to Naioth and stayed there.
19 Word came to Saul: “David is in Naioth at Ramah”;
20 so he sent men to capture him. But when they saw a group of prophets prophesying, with Samuel standing there as their leader, the Spirit of God came upon Saul’s men and they also prophesied.
21 Saul was told about it, and he sent more men, and they prophesied too. Saul sent men a third time, and they also prophesied.
22 Finally, he himself left for Ramah and went to the great cistern at Secu. And he asked, “Where are Samuel and David?” “Over in Naioth at Ramah,” they said.
23 So Saul went to Naioth at Ramah. But the Spirit of God came even upon him, and he walked along prophesying until he came to Naioth.
24 He stripped off his robes and also prophesied in Samuel’s presence. He lay that way all that day and night. This is why people say, “Is Saul also among the prophets?”
On verses 18-24: When David was fleeing from Saul, the first person David wisely went to for help was the prophet Samuel (v18). There with his spiritual leader, David was safe.
In a similar albeit a strange and more indirect way, Saul also goes to Samuel his pastor. (Samuel was technically still Saul’s spiritual mentor and pastor, although by this time Saul was living as if he had no pastor and was accountable to no one. Even his going to Samuel was not because he wanted to see Samuel but because he knew David was with Samuel.) As Saul stood there in the presence of his spiritual leader Samuel and in the presence of the Holy Spirit, the damage that spiritually unhealthy Saul could have done was neutralized (v19-22). Saul even stripped off his garments and began to prophesy (v23-24). This shows us that the presence of God and the presence of good spiritual leaders has a way of exposing our real selves, protecting us from evil and temptation, and bringing us closer to the Holy Spirit.
What can we learn from this? God uses spiritual leaders in our lives to lead us into God’s protecting presence. There is a certain safety and security that come from knowing I have a spiritual leader that I can go to for help, with whom I can safely rest in God’s presence and hear God’s Word. It’s there with my spiritual leaders that I am encouraged to be the real me that God intended, without masks or pretending. It’s my pastors and small group leaders who help build a spiritual home and atmosphere where I can experience the power of the Holy Spirit renewing my life. Since God uses good spiritual leaders to give me protection, may I never take them for granted.
Father, thank You for the covering and the protection You give me through my spiritual leaders, such as my pastors and small group leader. Thank You for how You use my spiritual leaders to speak into my life, to protect me from doing harm and being harmed, and to help me experience more of You. I pray for my spiritual leaders today that You would protect them too. Bless them, empower them and renew them so that they can lead wisely and effectively for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
Copyright © 2022 Justin Lim. All rights reserved.
