Debating with God, proposing our plan, and seeing his provision

By Dean Collins

God is always ahead of us. We might think the idea was completely ours. We might imagine all the hard work we did in preparation for our current assignment was the reason we have it. We might think the hole we have dug for ourselves relationally or financially can’t be filled or healed. But time and time again we find that nothing we have done, are doing, or plan to do—either good or bad—surprises God. He has promised to direct our paths. He has told us his goodness and mercy will follow us. God prepares us and others in advance of when he is ready to act. And he always follows up on every situation to make sure his mission is accomplished.

There are numerous examples that demonstrate that God is working ahead of us and always on task to both provide and to bring about transformation. In reading 1 Samuel 16 we have a perfect example.

Instructions to Samuel

God’s plan was to provide for his children through the wilderness, into the Promised Land, and beyond. However, God’s chosen became impatient with God and his plan and did what we often do as well; they came up with their own plan. When will we ever learn?!

As the period of the judges was moving to its end, the Israelites wanted to have a king to lead them. Samuel had pushed back on this plan, but God allowed it. You can read about the selection of Saul as king in 1 Samuel 10. King Samuel became more and more confident in himself and began to work outside of God’s instructions. The result was that God had Samuel tell King Saul that he would not continue as king.

Samuel was frustrated with how disastrous things had become as King Saul continued to disobey instructions. Chapter 16 opens with God speaking to Samuel and telling him to quit stewing over the past and move on to the future. God instructed Samuel to get his anointing oil and go to the house of Jesse from Bethlehem and anoint Jesse’s son as king.

Samuel was a godly man, but he was human and immediately considered the consequences of following God’s plan. “If Saul hears it, he will kill me.” Even though God was well aware of human jealousy and Saul’s violent and jealous bent, he simply continued describing exactly how Samuel would accomplish the task.

I find it interesting that Scripture doesn’t tell us of any sidebar conversation God had to assure Samuel he would be safe. God simply told Samuel the steps he was to follow. I suspect sometimes we might hesitate to follow God’s leading because we anticipate the negative reactions of others. One lesson we can learn from Samuel is simply to follow what God directs with confidence because if the Holy Spirit is leading, then God has the responsibility for the outcome.

Obedience and hesitation

Samuel did exactly what the Lord had instructed him to do. But as he obeyed, we can see that even Samuel was tempted to pick the next king based on what he could see—mainly his looks, his size, and his personality or skills. God quickly corrected Samuel’s thinking. “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature,” God said, “because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

You know how the story ends. After going through Jesse’s lineup of sons, at God’s instruction, Samuel anointed the youngest and the smallest son as king. God had been working ahead of Samuel, ahead of Saul, and ahead of David. And when it was time, God put things in motion so his people would be led by one who would one day be known as a man after God’s own heart. David wasn’t perfect, but he was appointed at the time God chose for him to do the work God wanted him to do.

And we know several generations later we would see God working ahead again, preparing the line that would lead to King Jesus.

I will confess that like Samuel I have often debated with God on both why and when he chose to use me in certain situations. I have had many conversations with him on the timing of his provisions. Yet over and over God proves himself to be faithful. Nothing catches our Heavenly Father off guard.

Lord, we confess we have many times run ahead of you. In our panic of assuming responsibility, we make decisions that are unwise and often create more problems than you want for us. Forgive us for our impatience. Forgive us for the many times we have made evaluations of others by the world’s standards instead of yours. Transform our minds and hearts that we might fully trust you and follow your plans today and always. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Your time with God’s Word
1 Samuel‬ ‭16‬:‭1‬-‭13‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Photo by Hanna Morris on Unsplash
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