October 4 -- "Astounded and Confounded"

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 19 

"Astounded and Confounded"

When Samuel first anointed Saul as the king of Israel, he predicted that Saul would prophesy, saying, “The Spirit of the LORD will come powerfully upon you, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be changed into a different person” (1 Samuel 10:6).  The word “prophesy” means to speak out a message from God under the influence of the Holy Spirit. Prophecy at its most basic definition is “a message from God.” So, to prophesy is to proclaim a message from God. The one who does this is, therefore, a prophet.

Years later, as king, Saul sent three different groups of servants who prophesied to David. When Saul personally traveled to this location, he also prophesied: “Saul went to Naioth at Ramah. But the Spirit of God came even on him, and he walked along prophesying until he came to Naioth. He stripped off his garments, and he too prophesied in Samuel’s presence. He lay naked all that day and all that night. This is why people say, ‘Is Saul also among the prophets?’” (1 Samuel 19:23–24).

At this point in his life, Saul has become a mean, angry man.  He has let jealousy eat at his soul and devour him.  He has repeatedly ordered the execution of David and has personally attempted to murder him on at least two occasions.  He is old, bitter, and corrupt.  So, we find it strange that God would use him to prophecy.  Yet, we are told that the Spirit of God came upon him and he began prophesying.

This is an astounding and confounding moment.  It is astounding to witness as God’s supernatural power comes upon this king of Israel.  It is confounding because it seems like Saul is the last person in the world through whom God would choose to speak His message.  That’s one reason the people around him said, “Is Saul also among the prophets?”  They were a bit confounded by God’s choice to use this corrupt, evil king to speak forth His words.

This is where we must rely on the wisdom and sovereignty of God.  We may be confounded at times by the people God uses.  But in His wisdom, He uses them anyway.  He is sovereign and gives His gifts to whomsoever He chooses.  We must not question God’s wisdom or sovereignty.  We must simply maintain a right heart with Him and be astounded and confounded when He uses us for His divine purposes.  After all, there is no goodness or qualities within any of us for which God chooses to use us.