A Seat at the Table

Intro

Review

The people demanded a king be appointed over Israel, when they should of turned to the Lord for guidance.

Saul is anointed king because he loses his donkey, and has to ask Samuel for help.

Saul fails as king because he cares more about the approval of people, rather than the the approval of God.

Then we find ourselves in chapter 16 where Samuel starts off at the beginning of the Chapter sulking because the Spirit of God left Saul.

Samuel is commanded to go to Bethlehem to anoint a son of Jesse.

Sometimes even some of God’s most devout followers desire something that isn’t God’s will.

Read

1. Posture over Stature (v.6-9)

We see that Samuel in this passage had the same mindset as Jesse.

The next king must be big, bold, and strong. That is why Jesse presented Eliab, and why Samuel thought the same thing.

God teaches Samuel a lesson in Spirit work as if he had not learned his lesson from Saul. Taller and bigger do not always mean better.

Check the posture of the of the first 7 sons of Jesse, they are in the house WAITING to become king while David is in the pasture WORKING.

Take note that God calls us to not lay dormant while waiting for something. But calls us to work.

Colossians 3:23 HCSB

Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men,

Proverbs 12:24 HCSB

The diligent hand will rule, but laziness will lead to forced labor.

Proverbs 12:24 HCSB

The diligent hand will rule, but laziness will lead to forced labor.

Sometimes we have to recognize that even though we might not be the strongest, smartest, most successful, that God still has a plan for your life.

Maybe you have been chasing down a dream that you think is a calling, and you have never been able to reach it. I would encourage you to change your posture.

2. Power over Pride (v.10-12)

I struggle with a little issue in my own life that often causes more issues than solutions.

Pride is a condition of human character. It is the result of simply believing that we are the best, smartest, and most athletic.

2k Illustration

If I have learned anything in the past 25 years of my life, it is that I am a prideful person. And when I allow that pride to enter in to a conversation, situation, or relationship, it usually ends up with me looking like a fool.

Jesse thinks that he knows best or at least knows the best candidates for for the throne, but like most instances dealing with pride, He was wrong.

We have to learn how to have power over our pride.

Isaiah 2:12 HCSB

For a day belonging to the Lord of Hosts is coming against all that is proud and lofty, against all that is lifted up—it will be humbled—

Isaiah 12:2 HCSB

Indeed, God is my salvation; I will trust Him and not be afraid, for Yah, the Lord, is my strength and my song. He has become my salvation.”

We want to be in a place of position and power, then we have to keep in mind:

James 4:10 HCSB

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.

3. Pasture to Palace (v.13-14)

When we posture ourselves correctly, when we have power over our pride, then we see the pasture to the palace moment in our own lives.

What does it look like to receive the Holy Spirit? Well there are a number of different things, but here are a few simple ways:

Galatians 5:22–23 HCSB

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Galations

Response