Thanks for the title 'Despite' (1 Samuel 9:5-10)
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Gratitude of 'in spite of' (1 Samuel 9:5-10)
In the book 'Dream a dream in your heart' (compass), the author, Hee-Tae Yoo, says that his dream came true with 'impression'. Then, 'Inspire the people around you. Let's try to impress God once. Then amazing things will happen.'
In today's text, we meet Saul, a young man who impresses God. There was a man named Kish from the tribe of Benjamin (1 Samuel 9:1).
But one day he lost his donkeys (1 Samuel 9:3).
At that time, the donkey was a measure of a person's wealth and was a symbol of that person's authority (Genesis 32:15; 45:23; Job 1:3; 42:12). In some cases, this donkey symbolized health and passion (Jeremiah 2:24).
Therefore, the female donkey was the first heirloom. When he lost not one but several of those precious donkeys, Kish had his son search for these donkeys himself (1 Samuel 9:3).
Saul wandered around in search of this donkey. I looked everywhere for the donkey, but couldn't find it. Now the food ran out (1 Samuel 9:7). So, in the end, they give up looking for the donkey (1 Samuel 9:5).
Then the servant girl who was following said that we should go find the man of God in this city (1 Samuel 9:6). Saul accepts the servant's offer and decides to go before the man of God. To go before the man of God means to go before God. It is the image of failure in the presence of that God, the appearance of being empty-handed, the humble appearance of confessing that I can do nothing even though I have worked hard and tried with my own strength and ability. It is a precious image of putting one's efforts, wisdom, and self-esteem in front of him.
Take a closer look at the Bible. God is never moved by good and smart people. When you see the failed people, the sick, those with broken hip bones, the poor, and the wounded come to God 'as they are', you are moved by what they see.
Furthermore, Saul thinks that he should not go before God empty-handed, but he does not have a penny, so he is worried about the gift to give before him (1 Samuel 9:7).
At that time, the servant gives up a quarter of a shekel of silver (1 Samuel 9:8).
I lost my precious donkeys, and I ran all over the place to find them, but in vain. In the process, I gradually forgot the property I had, and finally, even the food I had ran out and I had to worry about eating one meal.
Would you have the heart to approach God in this situation? What's more, would you be inclined to offer a gift to him? However, Saul went to the man of God by diligently preparing a gift, even borrowing his servant’s belongings.
One shekel is 11.424 g, and 1/4 shekel is 2.9 g. It is believed that the silver here was not a coin, but a collection that the servant was carrying. It was such a small gift, even for a price.
But this gift was by no means insignificant (Luke 21:4). At that time, the precious donkeys that were lost and searched for are not only found again, but also a wonderful thing that was not even thought of in a dream unfolds before them (1 Samuel 9:20). It is to become the main character of the blessing of becoming the main character of Israel's first 'crown' (1 Samuel 10:1).
There must always be a 'holy burden' in our hearts (Psalm 116:12-14). But Saul's thanks is 'prepaid thanks'. It is a 'despite' thanks to the loss. It is a 'despite' thanks to failure. It is a 'despite' thanks to the fact that it was empty. It is the gratitude of 'in spite of'. It is gratitude for 'despite' even though nothing has been done. nothing has been done. It has become empty. Failed. It's disappointing. But Saul thanked God. This thanksgiving created a miracle.
Dear saints! Today is Thanksgiving Day.
Immediately after the Exodus, the army came after them, and they complained against Moses (Exodus 14:11).
Less than three days after experiencing the miracle of the Red Sea, he complained again to Moses that there was no water to drink (Joshua 15:24).
God commanded these people of Israel to keep the Feast of Harvest (Exodus 23:15; Deuteronomy 16:15). They complained about everything too often, so God gave thanks to God at least twice a year and told them to rejoice completely now, ‘for all your goods and for all the work you put your hands on’. My circumstances and circumstances are difficult and difficult right now, but I believe that God will give me amazing grace, and I want you to be happy and give thanks now. This is the essence of Thanksgiving. It is a promise that God will give you amazing blessings if you do that.
What situation are you in now? Have you lost the she-donkey you treasured? So, are you sighing as you look up at the sky in the empty field? Are you struggling alone in a dark closet? Nevertheless, go before God again 'in spite of'. Then you will be impressed. Just like the woman who suffered from hemorrhage (Mark 5:25-28), go one step further and express your gratitude 'in spite of' before him. Then you will be impressed.
God never turns away from those who give thanks in advance. He will help you find the donkey.
As an added bonus, he will even give you an amazing 'crown' blessing that we could not have imagined.
“Near the cliff
He called me and came to me.
He told me to come closer to the edge of the cliff.
I got closer.
Then on the cliff
Me, who is barely standing with my feet together
down the cliff
It was pushing you away.
of course i
I fell down that cliff.
But only then did I know.
The fact that I can fly… (Robert Schuler)”
I hope that you will look at this God with the eyes of faith, become an 'in spite of' thanksgiving, impress God, and enjoy God's amazing grace abundantly.