1 Samuel 9:27 And as they were going down to the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, Bid the servant pass on before us, (and he passed on)… Now, there is Saul, a great, big, six-and-a-half-foot man, and broad in proportion. Head and shoulders above his fellows, full of health and strength and flesh and blood, full of his own plans and his own purposes; and Samuel virtually says, "Saul, halt! I can do nothing until I arrest you and get you to stand still, body and soul, to listen to the word of God." Now, there, Sauls, I speak as a Samuel. I have all the same — ay, and more — reason, if I am God's messenger at all, and if you believe in God and that there is anything in the preacher's gift, the offered Lord Jesus Christ, then give me your full attention. "Stand still," and it is not easy. Did you ever, when you were young, take your father's spirit level out of the long pocket, as I used to take my father's out of the moleskins, and try to hold it straight and steady, There you were, watching the little bead in the glass, and you think you have it dead level in the middle, when, without any motion you are aware of, it bangs away to the far end, then back again to the other. Why? There is a movement — the very coursing of your blood through your veins disturbs the balance. My friend, the devil counts on that trouble to spoil the Gospel. He knows that we are just set on wires — that he can fool or annoy with this, that, or the other thing. He knows how easily the balance is upset, and he is forever upsetting it. I sympathise with Samuel, coming to that big, healthy young giant, and saying, "Saul, stand still a bit, that I may show you the word of God." Oh, I know you are still as regards your body, but I will do no good till I get your mind, which is as sensitive as the quicksilver, arrested: and with God's help I will. (John McNeil.). Parallel Verses KJV: And as they were going down to the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, Bid the servant pass on before us, (and he passed on,) but stand thou still a while, that I may shew thee the word of God. |
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