What does God's instruction to Samuel reveal about obedience and trust? Setting the Scene “‘How can I go?’ Samuel asked. ‘If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.’ The LORD answered, ‘Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’” (1 Samuel 16:2) Samuel’s Honest Fear—God’s Reassuring Command • Samuel has just been told to anoint a new king while Saul still sits on the throne—humanly dangerous business. • He voices a real concern: “If Saul hears, he’ll kill me.” • God does not rebuke the fear. Instead, He supplies a concrete next step—bring a heifer and announce a sacrifice. • Obedience is therefore framed not as blind recklessness but as responsive trust in God’s precise instruction. What Obedience Looks Like • Acting on God’s Word even when risks are obvious. • Following the specific directions God provides, not adding to them or subtracting from them (see Deuteronomy 12:32). • Moving forward immediately—1 Samuel 16:4 notes, “Samuel did what the LORD had said and went to Bethlehem.” • Allowing God’s command to override personal calculations of safety, reputation, or convenience. What Trust Looks Like • Believing God cares about both His plan and His servant’s well-being (Psalm 121:7–8). • Resting in the assurance that God sees dangers we see—and those we don’t (Psalm 32:8). • Accepting that God often guides one step at a time. Samuel isn’t told the entire unfolding sequence—only what’s needed for the next move. Compare Abraham in Hebrews 11:8. • Confessing fear honestly to the Lord and receiving His instruction rather than pretending fear isn’t there (Psalm 56:3). Supporting Snapshots from Scripture • Proverbs 3:5-6—Trust involves leaning not on our own understanding but acknowledging Him in all our ways, including risky ones. • John 2:5—Mary’s words at Cana, “Do whatever He tells you,” capture the heart of obedience Samuel models. • Acts 9:10-17—Ananias obeys God’s risky command to visit persecutor Saul; God gives specific detail, mirroring 1 Samuel 16:2. • Philippians 4:6-7—Presenting anxieties to God leads to peace that guards the heart, enabling obedient action. Living It Today • Identify the “Saul” factor—circumstances that make obedience seem dangerous or costly. • Bring fears into the open with God; let Him speak through Scripture. • Act on the portion of direction you do have; clarity often follows movement. • Remember: God’s command carries its own provision, whether a heifer for Samuel or grace for you (2 Corinthians 9:8). Samuel’s moment in Bethlehem shows that obedience is trusting submission to God’s precise word, even when courage feels thin. Trust blooms when we step forward on the path He lights, confident He has already seen the road ahead. |
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