Need some clarity, please...
- Thread starter CharliRenee
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You might recall in the New Testament another Saul (who became Paul) was sent 'a messenger from Satan' to buffet him, to stop him from becoming too proud.
Paul asked God to remove this 'thorn in his side' but God just said 'my grace is sufficent'.
Sometimes we can let ourselves get too big for our boots instead of relying on God always. This is very hard for someone whos always been independent and what we think of as a capable adult, to become almost like a child again under God.
What God tends to do is to send something to stop is from going astray, even if its painful for us. Like Job, we need to learn to humble ourselves and not assume we can do everything on our own power. This can be a hard lesson to learn.
Of course the first Saul seemed to be chosen for his looks and stature. It seems people always seem to choose a leader who looks tall and strong. God had to give people what they wanted for a while but knew what made a leader was someone who was going to do His will. This is why He chose David because he was a 'man after his own heart'
But even David eventually disobeyed God when he committed adultery...the perks of being King I suppose he thought he could have any woman he wanted. Well there were serious consequence to that too and God threatened to withdraw his spirit from David too. (Hence the psalm where David is in despair) and his son Solomon followed his bad example by having hundreds of wives and concubines. He was initially pleasing God by asking for wisdom though!
So even if you are at first the 'chosen ones' doesnt mean you get a free pass. A lot of evil befell the nation of Israel because while they had promised to be Gods people that didnt mean they always got blessings when they were naughty! Or, worse, became so smug they were the chosen ones they neglected being an example to others.
I think its difficult for us to get our head round that we only have limited power compared to God who can and does kill people in an instant (but is also merciful in letting us live, though times can be tough for us) as well as the source of all blessing. Certainly not everyone is blessed ALL the time.
Paul asked God to remove this 'thorn in his side' but God just said 'my grace is sufficent'.
Sometimes we can let ourselves get too big for our boots instead of relying on God always. This is very hard for someone whos always been independent and what we think of as a capable adult, to become almost like a child again under God.
What God tends to do is to send something to stop is from going astray, even if its painful for us. Like Job, we need to learn to humble ourselves and not assume we can do everything on our own power. This can be a hard lesson to learn.
Of course the first Saul seemed to be chosen for his looks and stature. It seems people always seem to choose a leader who looks tall and strong. God had to give people what they wanted for a while but knew what made a leader was someone who was going to do His will. This is why He chose David because he was a 'man after his own heart'
But even David eventually disobeyed God when he committed adultery...the perks of being King I suppose he thought he could have any woman he wanted. Well there were serious consequence to that too and God threatened to withdraw his spirit from David too. (Hence the psalm where David is in despair) and his son Solomon followed his bad example by having hundreds of wives and concubines. He was initially pleasing God by asking for wisdom though!
So even if you are at first the 'chosen ones' doesnt mean you get a free pass. A lot of evil befell the nation of Israel because while they had promised to be Gods people that didnt mean they always got blessings when they were naughty! Or, worse, became so smug they were the chosen ones they neglected being an example to others.
I think its difficult for us to get our head round that we only have limited power compared to God who can and does kill people in an instant (but is also merciful in letting us live, though times can be tough for us) as well as the source of all blessing. Certainly not everyone is blessed ALL the time.