Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Samuel 9:11-17.  Here is a link to this Scripture – 1 Samuel 9 NASB1995 – – Bible Gateway

I quote only the following verses.

“Now a day before Saul’s coming, the LORD had revealed this to Samuel saying, “About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him to be prince over My people Israel;  and he will deliver My people from the hand of the Philistines.  For I have regarded My people, because their cry has come to Me.”  When Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said to him, “Behold, the man of whom I spoke to you!  This one shall rule over My people.”  1 Samuel 9:11-17.

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It is interesting to compare the soft words, so to speak, of how the LORD commissioned Samuel to anoint Saul in today’s Scripture compared to the hard words, so to speak, of how the LORD described the request of Israel for a king in the prior chapter. 

First, in today’s Scripture, the LORD seems to favorably refer to Saul as “prince” in verse 16, rather than harshly as a king in the prior chapter.  Second, in today’s Scripture, the LORD referred to the good that Saul would do in delivering the people from the Philistines, rather than all the bad that a king would do in taking away all that was good in persons and property from Israel for his own use as He warned Israel in the prior chapter (1 Samuel 8:10-18).  Third, in today’s Scripture, the LORD said He “regarded My people, because their cry has come to Me”, rather than saying “they have rejected Me from being king over them” as He did in the prior chapter (1 Samuel 8:7).

This difference in choice of words leads us meditate on how the LORD can cause all things, even sin, to work together for the good of His people.  We notice from today’s Scripture that three times the LORD refers to “My people”, including stating “I have regarded My people”.

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.  For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;  and these whom He predestined, He also called;  and these whom He called, He also justified;  and these whom He justified, He also glorified.

What then shall we say to these things?  If God is for us, who is against us?  He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?  Who will bring a charge against God’s elect?  God is the one who justifies;  who is the one who condemns?  Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.”  Romans 8:28-34.