Take Out the Nemeses That Beset You. Part 1.
Reference passage: 1Samuel 15 — The story of King Saul, the first king of Israel, when God gave him instructions through prophet Samuel to completely destroy the Amalekites because they violently hindered the journey of the Israelites in the wilderness on their way to Canaan from Egypt. Saul obedience was partial, but God counted it as total disobedience and rejected him as king.
King Saul had some foundational nemeses two of which are greed and pleasing people. He was never a God pleaser. In 1 Samuel 15:3 [NLT — Now go and attack Amalek, and destroy all that they have, and do not spare them. But kill both man and woman, infant and nursing child, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.] God gave him an instruction to wipe out the Amalekites and anything traced to them from the face of the earth. The instructions were clear, no captives, no plunder. He started well by organizing a battle with the Amalekites which was going as planned until his nemeses caught up with him. His greed and that of his men pushed him into an act of selective clemency, he spared Agag, the king of the Amalekites and all good and valuable Amalekite things. A choice that is against God’s instruction. [1 Samuel 15:9 (NLT) — But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep, the oxen, the fatlings, the lambs, and all that was good, and were unwilling to utterly destroy them. But everything despised and worthless, that they utterly destroyed]. He lost everything including the throne and as result and became an outcast to God. [1Samuel 15:23 (NLT) — For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king.”]
In this world where God is relegated to the background or seen as non-existent, Saul would have been a smart and prudent leader who was magnanimous to his enemy. God’s instructions would have no place in this situation, humanity and its wisdom and accolades would have prevailed over God instructions. While the principles of humanity are commendable, It should not override God’s instructions. The devil uses humanity (godless morality without attention to human flaws) to veil his agenda, a world devoid of God’s knowledge and His moral standards [2Corinthians 4:4 (NLT) — Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.].
The same God that gave Saul instructions is still alive today. He gave instructions in 2024 and those who followed Him were never disappointed [Romans 5:5(NLT) — And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.]. This year, He is still giving instructions to His people. Do you know your God-given instructions or this year? When was the last time you heard God speak to you and you obey completely? What are the things that hinder you from obeying God? Help is available only if you will call on the Jesus in the place of communion. This is another opportunity to make up with Jesus Christ, develop or renew your communion with Him and align with His instruction so that you can find help to fulfil His plan for you this year.
