Introduction

Good morning, beloved family of God. It's truly a blessing to gather with you today, under the banner of His grace, to share in the richness of His Word. The Word of God is a living, breathing testament of His love for us, a love that is steadfast, relentless, and all-encompassing. It's a love that calls us out of our mourning and into His marvelous light.

Today, we turn to the book of 1 Samuel, chapter 16, verses 1 and 2. Let's read together:

'The Lord said to Samuel, 'How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.' But Samuel said, 'How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.' The Lord said, 'Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.'

Heeding God's Instructions

In the scripture we read, God gives Samuel a clear instruction. He tells him to stop mourning for Saul and to go to Jesse of Bethlehem, for God has chosen one of his sons to be king. This is a straightforward command from God, but it's not an easy one for Samuel to follow. Saul is still alive, and Samuel fears that Saul will kill him if he hears about this. But God reassures Samuel and gives him a plan. He tells him to take a heifer with him and say that he has come to sacrifice to the Lord.

Danger and difficulty: This is a powerful example of how God's instructions can sometimes seem difficult or even dangerous. But it also shows that God always provides a way for us to follow His instructions. He doesn't just tell us to do something and then leave us to figure out how to do it on our own. He gives us the guidance and the resources we need to carry out His commands.

A different angle: God's instructions to Samuel weren't just about the immediate situation. They were also about the bigger picture. God was setting in motion a plan that would eventually lead to the anointing of David as king, a man after God's own heart, and the ancestor of Jesus Christ.

The bigger picture: When God gives us instructions, it's not just about what we need to do right now. It's also about what God is doing in the bigger picture. It's about His plans and purposes for our lives and for the world. We may not always understand why God is telling us to do something, but we can trust that it's part of His bigger plan.

The timing of God's instructions: In the scripture, God tells Samuel to stop mourning for Saul. This implies that Samuel has been mourning for some time. But now, God says, it's time to move on. It's time to stop looking back and start looking forward. This shows us that there's a time for mourning, but there's also a time to move on. There's a time to grieve our losses, but there's also a time to embrace the new things that God has for us. And God, in His wisdom, knows when that time is. He knows when we need to let go of the past and start moving towards the future.

The nature of God's instructions: In the scripture, God's instructions to Samuel are very specific. He tells him exactly what to do, where to go, and what to say. There's no ambiguity or uncertainty. This reminds us that God's instructions are always clear. He doesn't speak in riddles or puzzles. He speaks clearly and directly. And when He gives us instructions, He gives us everything we need to carry them out. He equips us with the wisdom, the resources, and the courage to do what He's called us to do.

Halting the Mourning

In the midst of our sorrow, God calls us to halt our mourning ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO