Are You All In?

Why was Saul Necessary?

This lesson is about what it looks like to be one foot in and one foot out with our obedience with God.

We find this depiction in King Saul’s storyline

Let’s first set the stage and context for Saul’s story.

The Israelites yet again, took their eyes off God and set their aspirations towards worldly things.

They wanted to be just like all the other nations.

Can I just say that WE were not called to be like everyone else. We were meant to be set apart.

1 Samuel 8:19–22 “But the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel. And they said, “No! But there shall be a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.” And when Samuel had heard all the words of the people, he repeated them in the ears of the Lord. And the Lord said to Samuel, “Obey their voice and make them a king.” Samuel then said to the men of Israel, “Go every man to his city.””

God allowed them to make the choice as he allows us to make choices to either trust in Him or seek other things to rely on and worship.

Our relationship with God is a choice on our part. God doesn’t want us to be His puppets.

Saul Was God’s Answer to Israel’s Request

God chose Saul to be the answer to the Israelites request for a King.

The interesting thing here is that God always seems to choose those who are counted out or suspected to be the least of those.

Samuel was a Benjamite.

1 Samuel 9:21 “Saul answered, “Am I not a Benjaminite, from the least of the tribes of Israel? And is not my clan the humblest of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then have you spoken to me in this way?””

The Benjamites were considered to be the least among Israels tribes in both size and esteem.

They were almost eradicated in the book of Judges.

Yet God chose Saul

Our past or our families past does not define who we are! God does, no matter what has happened in our lives God still wants to use us for His purpose and Glory.

Don’t underestimate the plans that God has in store for you!

Where did Saul Go Wrong?

Throughout His Reign as King of Israel, he did not trust fully in God’s provision in His life.

He only partially obeyed God because he had too much doubt in all that God can do!

He was never all in!

I want to discuss three examples, of how Saul was not all in.

Three examples:

1. Sauls Hides:

1 Samuel 10:20–24 “Then Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, and the tribe of Benjamin was taken by lot. He brought the tribe of Benjamin near by its clans, and the clan of the Matrites was taken by lot; and Saul the son of Kish was taken by lot. But when they sought him, he could not be found. So they inquired again of the Lord, “Is there a man still to come?” and the Lord said, “Behold, he has hidden himself among the baggage.” Then they ran and took him from there. And when he stood among the people, he was taller than any of the people from his shoulders upward. And Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see him whom the Lord has chosen? There is none like him among all the people.” And all the people shouted, “Long live the king!”

Saul started off on the wrong foot.

This was the first example of how Saul was trusting in God FULLY

He had doubts for this grand plan God had for him and he allowed the enemy spread lies in his head. That he was not worthy!

How often have we allowed the enemy to tell us we aren't worthy, or we aren't good enough for something that God is clearly calling us to step into?

God doesn’t call the qualified, he qualifies the called!

2. Saul Did Not Wait:

1 Samuel 13:8–14 “He waited seven days, the time appointed by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and the people were scattering from him. So Saul said, “Bring the burnt offering here to me, and the peace offerings.” And he offered the burnt offering. As soon as he had finished offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came. And Saul went out to meet him and greet him. Samuel said, “What have you done?” And Saul said, “When I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines had mustered at Michmash, I said, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the favor of the Lord.’ So I forced myself, and offered the burnt offering.” And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the Lord your God, with which he commanded you. For then the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has…”

Right here Saul panicked and allowed his fear to take over and make a rash decision.

Saul thought he was doing right by making an offering to God.

But the reality is, that he was only partially obedient.

He did not WAIT!

God doesn’t want us to be partially obedient.

Sometimes he may ask us to WAIT, even when the situation looks grim.

This is a perfect example of walking by FAITH and not by SIGHT.

3. Saul Panicked

1 Samuel 14:16–20 “And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, and behold, the multitude was dispersing here and there. Then Saul said to the people who were with him, “Count and see who has gone from us.” And when they had counted, behold, Jonathan and his armor-bearer were not there. So Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the ark of God here.” For the ark of God went at that time with the people of Israel. Now while Saul was talking to the priest, the tumult in the camp of the Philistines increased more and more. So Saul said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand.” Then Saul and all the people who were with him rallied and went into the battle. And behold, every Philistine’s sword was against his fellow, and there was very great confusion.”

Saul saw again that his enemies were going looking overpowering.

Instead of allowing the Priest to seek God’s wisdom, he told the priest to stop praying!

He took the matters into his own hands.

So often even as believers we think we have the answer to our problems and forget to seek Him first.

Here we see that Saul was still successful, but it was not easy and he knew that.

1 Samuel 14:24 “And the men of Israel had been hard pressed that day.

Seek God first and ask Him to fight your Battles! We cant do it alone.

So How Should We Respond?

Saul’s son, Johnathan, demonstrates what trusting in the Lord looks like in the face of your enemies.

1 Samuel 14:6 “Jonathan said to the young man who carried his armor, “Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised. It may be that the Lord will work for us, for nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few.”

Nothing can Hinder God from saving us!

Johnathan knew that God could save His people from any enemy.

He trusted the Lord fully.

He was “All In”

Invitation

Saul’s life is a powerful reminder of what happens when we are only partially obedient

When we’re one foot in and one foot out.

Just as nothing could hinder the Lord from saving Israel through Jonathan’s faith, nothing has hindered God from saving us.

He proved that by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to defeat our greatest enemies—sin, death, and the lies that say we aren’t enough.

Jesus is the answer we’ve been searching for.

Matthew 11:28–30 “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.””

When we choose Jesus, we are choosing to stop hiding, to stop panicking, and to stop rushing ahead of Him.

We are choosing to trust. To wait. To walk by faith.

You can stop straddling the fence and be all in.

You can surrender your doubts, your fear, and your past to the One who already made a way.

Will you be all in with Jesus?