May 24

1 Samuel 10

Samuel publicly introduces Saul to the nation of Israel.

INSIGHT

Leadership is at the same time a blessing and a curse. Leaders like to have the allegiance and esteem of their followers, but such is rarely the case. Inherent in humanity are differences of opinion, and those differences cause some to be for certain leadership and against other leadership. The day Saul is presented as king over Israel, a faction of “worthless men” grumble against him. If you are in a position of leadership, you should not be insensitive to dissension, but you must also realize that you will never make all the people happy all the time.

PRAYER

Use the following psalm to express your gratitude and praise to the Lord for all He has done for you:
Praise the Lord!
Praise the name of the Lord;
Praise Him, O you servants of the Lord!…
Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good;
Sing praises to His name, for it is pleasant….
I know that the Lord is great,
And our Lord is above all gods.
Whatever the Lord pleases He does,
In heaven and in earth,
In the seas and in all deep places….
Blessed be the Lord out of Zion,
Who dwells in Jerusalem! Praise the Lord! (Psalm 135:1, 3, 5-6, 21).

Pause for personal praise and thanksgiving.

Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
The God of my salvation,
And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.
O Lord, open my lips,
And my mouth shall show forth Your praise (Psalm 51:14-15).

Pause to pray this affirmation to the Lord:
“He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments,
and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life;
but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels” (Revelation 3:5).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:

• Spiritual victory over temptation
• Opportunities to serve the Lord
• Your activities for the day

Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely;
and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved
blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:23).