What is Your Desire?

What do servants generally say to the King: “Your Wish is My Command.”

“Your Desire, is my Desire.”

Saul had a burning desire in his heart. 19

Israel had a burning desire in their heart. 20

The people had asked the Lord for a human King. Samuel said, “I’ll ask God, you all go home.”

Saul was young, but he was aware of what social unrest was going on in his country. He also had a burn or ache in his heart - more than farming and tending to donkeys.

Psalm 37:4 KJV 1900

Delight thyself also in the Lord; And he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

Familiar Quotations William Sharp (Fiona Mcleod) (1856–1905)

The desire of love, Joy:

The desire of life, Peace:

The desire of the soul, Heaven:

The desire of God … a flame-white secret forever.

God’s desires are not top secret. He shares many in the Word.

God Can Give Us the Desires of Our Heart.

God’s desire for us will never violate clear teachings of the Bible.

The spirit of God will never cause you to live contrary to the Revealed Word.

The “what” we desire can be God given. Our desires aligns with God’s desire for our lives.

James 4:3 KJV 1900

Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

Today's Best Illustrations, Volumes 1-4 When Desire Takes Over

Selfishness is a phenomenon of the will, and consists in committing the will to the gratification of the desires … Selfishness begins when the will yields to the desire and seeks to obey it in opposition to the law of the intelligence or the law of God. It matters not what kind of desire it is; if it is the desire that governs the will, this is selfishness.

Let’s Read the Narrative: 1 Sam 9

God Sees His People. 16

God Selects What is Best For His People. 17

God Shows His People His Word. 27

God as a side note says, “Don’t worry about the donkeys, they have ben found.” Proves Samuel and the Lord know what they are talking about to Saul. 20

Notice some character qualities about Saul:

He Had Presence. 2

New American Standard Hebrew-Aramaic and Greek Dictionaries: Updated Edition 2896a טוֹב (tob)

טוֹב tob (373c); from 2895; pleasant, agreeable, good:

A Good, “choice” Young man.

New American Standard Hebrew-Aramaic and Greek Dictionaries: Updated Edition 970 בָּחוּר (bachur)

בָּחוּר bachur (104c); pass. part. of 977; a young man:—choice(4), vigorous young men(1), young man(6), young men(35).

You would have chosen him to be on your team.

Saul was impressive in his countenance, attitude, and appearance.

Old Testament 9:1-27: Saul and Samuel Meet

Saul’s appearance and stature. People in the ancient Near East placed high value on the stature and appearance of the king. The earliest kings were temporarily empowered warlords—mighty champions and fierce fighters. Even after kingship evolved into a permanent institution, the king who carried the aura of a great champion was the pride of his people. A few examples include Sargon of Akkad, described as mighty in battle; Tukulti-Ninurta of Assyria, who had no rival on the battlefield; Nebuchadnezzar, a valiant man strong in warfare; and Gilgamesh, a heroic warrior of great stature as well as beautiful in manhood.

2. He Had A Conscience. 5

Dad may miss us if we are gone to long and become worried about us. let’s return home soon.

Have you ever waited for someone to call to “check in” with you?

3. He Was Respectful. 7-8

Let’s give a gift to the prophet for his time.

This is a valid consideration. Very thoughtful.

IE. When couples get married, they should give gifts to the attendants, the pastor, the sound and media team, the ushers, etc. Be thoughtful.

It’s like sending a “Thank You note.” Be respectful of the time of others.

4. He was Humble. 19-20

These are good qualities, not just superficial. Presence, Conscience, Respectful, and Humble. On top of all this, he stood a foot taller than the other Hebrews.

The Lord wanted them to have a King.

Genesis 49:10 KJV 1900

The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, Nor a lawgiver from between his feet, Until Shiloh come; And unto him shall the gathering of the people be.

The Timing, Place and kind of kingdom was Wrong.

The people wanted a Human Figurehead.

God wanted to be their King. They rejected a Theocratic Monarchy.

God Can Give Us the Desires of Our Heart.

God Lets Us Make Choices; Whether the Choices are Right or Wrong.

Saul will be “Captain over My people.” 16. Kings led their troops like the Commander in Chief. This is where the idea comes from.

Samuel knew that Saul was God’s Answer to the Prayer of the people for a King.

Genesis 2:16 KJV 1900

And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:

Psalm 54:6 KJV 1900

I will freely sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy name, O Lord; for it is good.

Revelation 22:17 KJV 1900

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

God Let’s Us Live With the Consequences or Blessings of Our Choices.

We can choose wrong. We can choose our heart over the heart of God.

Consequences result when we follow our heart.

Blessings result when we follow God’s Heart.

“Follow Your Heart” is not good advice.

Jeremiah 17:9 KJV 1900

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

2 Thessalonians 3:5 KJV 1900

And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.

God’s Desire is that Our Heart Aligns With His Heart.

Romans 10:1 KJV 1900

Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.

God wants to Save people, not just physically save people like Saul would, but in the spiritual and eternal realm.

God wants to save people from their sins.

Have you trusted Christ? been forgiven of sin?

God Can Give Us the Desires of Our Heart.

D and A:

Where can we find the “heart of God?”

Discuss the will of God for the Christian.

Would you have chosen Saul? Why or why not?

Talk about the “consequences” or “blessings” of our choices.

Ask for a volunteer to share their salvation story.