POTENTIAL!

POTENTIAL!

1 Sam 9:1-2

9 Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power.

2 And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice young man, and a goodly: and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people.

1 Sam 16:1

16 And the Lord  said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.

          Merriam – Webster says that potential is “capable of becoming actual; latent or dormant ability.” Saul was both choice and goodly. In the selection of a king for Israel, Samuel had an easy task. All he had to do was to search for the tallest among men. Saul had potential. This was going to be good!

          Seven chapters later, we see the Lord declaring that He has rejected Saul from being king. Samuel was told to fill his horn with oil and go to the house of Jesse in Bethlehem. Although he didn’t know it, David the shepherd boy would be anointed king after all his brothers paraded before Samuel. Even David’s father didn’t see a potential king in his younger son.

          Saul illustrates for us how potential can be ruined by a flawed character. In chapter 15 Saul disobeys the direct commands of God. Instead of killing the enemy king, Saul took him captive. Perhaps this was to parade him before the people in a display of pride. Instead of destroying all the flocks and goods of the enemy, he kept back the good stuff. When Samuel shows up he asks: “what is the meaning of the bleating of all these sheep?” Saul quickly says that they were for sacrifices but Samuel asks: “is God more pleased with sacrifices or with obedience?”

1 Sam 15:10-11

10 Then came the word of the Lord  unto Samuel, saying,

11 It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the Lord  all night.

Potential: When your failure is not due to any discernible deficiency!

Dear Lord, let me live up to my potential today by being obedient. Though others may not see it, thank you for seeing potential in me. AMEN