GREAT REWARD FOR TRUE HUMILITY (Part 2)

 SONG

I surrender all, I surrender all.

All to thee my blessed Saviour.

I surrender all.

TEXT

"A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit." - Prov.29:23 -

 Pride has the ability to make us think that we can manage our lives' situations ourselves, without involving anyone or even God our Creator. Usually, this results in unprecedented hazards and shame.

The object of our discussion this morning is on the story of two great men in Israel, king Saul and king David, the first and the second kings of Israel, respectively.

 These two great men occupied the same position at different times in the history of the people of Israel.

 Their characters illustrate the different approaches to handling pride. 

 "...And Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites: for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed." - 1Sam 15: 14-15 .

Saul was a man that had a very high opinion of himself and this singular act resulted in decisions that were contrary to the Word of God. He was more interested in keeping or obeying his own words and thoughts above those of God.

"And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.' – Matt.23:12.

Prophet Samuel categorically gave Saul the Lord’s message. The message was that he should destroy and not to spare anything in the land of the Amalekites. Saul went contrary to the Word of God by sparing the good looking animals and king Agag, for his own selfish interests. His self-centeredness took control of his thinking, making him seek ways around divine commands in order to satisfy himself. He also found reasons to justify his disobedient actions before Prophet Samuel.

God saw through his words, a heart of pride. This led to his dethronement as a King in Israel.

"For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king." -1Sam.15:23

  On the other hand, David was chosen and anointed king by God while Saul was still on the throne.

 "Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah." - 1Sam.16:13

 He defeated Goliath and the women sang a song of praise to honor him, thereby generating the anger and jealousy of Saul.

 "And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands." - 1Sam.18:7

 David did not allow anything of whatever nature to make him prideful. In fact, even when he had ample opportunities to seize the throne, he refused to do that. He never allowed pride to dominate his thinking. He patiently and humbly waited for God’s time and God decorated him with His glory and honor all through his reign as a King in Israel.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, help me to humbly obey and do Your Word above mine in Jesus Mighty name.