We are flawed people. Let’s admit it. We are flawed, sinful people. We wish we were more pure, more holy, more what God wants us to be. But try as we might, we fail in some things we consider important. So often, we do not measure up to our own expectations. So what does God think of us? Can we ever hope for God’s blessing to flow through us?
The answers to these questions are found in 1 Samuel. Four men of greatness stand out like giants on the biblical horizon. No one can dispute the greatness of Samuel, Saul, and David. We don’t know as much about Eli, the high priest of Israel, but he must have been a special person to hold that office.
Each of these giants, however, was a flawed person, a person with disappointing defects. Eli was the spiritual head of all Israel, the high priest, the man in charge of God’s work, the keeper of the Tabernacle. Although Eli did an excellent job of managing the Tabernacle, he could not manage his own family.
Samuel -- man of prayer, man of God, judge and leader of the nation of Israel -- couldn’t manage his family either. He was a flawed father.
Saul began as a humble king, then submitted to pride and murderous intent toward his son-in-law and even his own son. He died by suicide in military defeat. Saul, a strong king, was also a weak person, flawed in many ways.
David was a man of many talents. He could play a harp or beat a Philistine giant in battle. He could write poetry or defeat an enemy army. The bible calls him “a man after God’s heart.” But David was also flawed. He committed adultery, and then murder.
Flawed giants. How could God use them? Why would God want to use them? Flawed people -- you and I. How can God use us?
The clear message from 1 Samuel is that God uses flawed people to accomplish great things for him. He uses them despite the fact that they are flawed. It is when flawed people acknowledge their sins, humble themselves before him, beg his forgiveness, and submit to his ways that he uses them.
We, too, are flawed people. Will we humble ourselves and lay our flaws at the feet of a forgiving God, committing ourselves to serve him sincerely and begging him to use us in some way that truly makes a difference? Or will we hide behind our flaws and believe the myth that God cannot, and will not, use flawed people? The giants of 1 Samuel clearly show what God is willing to do with flawed people who have willing hearts. (Touch Point Bible)
Wow! This is exciting! One of my favorite stories of the bible is in the book of 1 Samuel, when Saul becomes king. It’s one thing to retell a story verbally, but now having the opportunity to capture it through writing is exhilarating!
Lord, thank you for your Word today! Help us embrace the teaching, your truth, in the book of 1 Samuel. Help us understand you better and draw closer to you as we read this book. We love you!
May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
….AND MAY WE ALL PRACTICE THIS WITH ONE ANOTHER.
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