Stop Holding Back

1 Samuel 16:1–3

The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.” The LORD said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.” (NIV)

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Devotional Reflection

Samuel mourned Saul.

God had never intended for Israel to have a king. He was to be their king, and He would appoint a prophet to be His mouthpiece to the people. But when Samuel was old, he appointed his sons as Israel’s leaders. They were not righteous. Between his age and his sons’ corruption, the elders of Israel went to Samuel and asked for a king. And the Lord gave them what they wanted. Saul became king.

But Saul was also not righteous. Though he mostly did what God asked, he did not obey Him completely. Over time, he became arrogant, taking credit for victories instead of giving praise and honor to God. Samuel instructed Saul to lead the army against another nation. Because of the wickedness of this nation, God told Saul to kill every person so they would not become a corrupting influence among Israel. They were also supposed to kill all the animals as an offering to the Lord at the time of war. Saul did not obey. He let the king live and kept some of the sheep. He claimed at first that he did it for God, but later admitted he was afraid of his own men if he did not let them keep some of the plunder. In his disobedience, he lost the anointing as king. God would soon send Samuel to anoint David as the next king.

When God came to Samuel to tell him to go and anoint another king, He asked Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul?”

Samuel was grieved over what had happened to Saul. Maybe he mourned Saul’s disobedience and arrogance. Maybe he mourned the fact that the corruption of his own sons had led the people to want a king. Maybe he mourned that there was no longer a God-appointed leader in place. Maybe it was all of the above. But God’s question reveals that Samuel’s mourning had lasted long enough and was now preventing him from moving forward.

How long will you let past mistakes, past hurts, and past sin hold you back from what God wants to do in your life?

We do not want to ignore mistakes, sin, wickedness, or injustice as if they are insignificant. There is a time to mourn. But what we cannot do is allow our regret and sorrow to paralyze us so that we stop moving forward with the Lord. We must grieve what needs to be grieved, but not remain there when God is calling us forward.

We must keep moving toward the Lord and the plans He has called us to. And if we hold too tightly to good things of the past or the pain of the past, we stop moving forward.

Let God be your healer. Let Him cover you in forgiveness. Let Him give you a new vision.

Then, go after the plans He has given you.

Prayer

Lord, help me release what is behind me so I can follow You into what is ahead. Heal my heart where it still grieves, and give me the courage to move forward in obedience to Your calling. Amen.