ESOCS Devotional 21 February 2023
TEXT: 1 SAMUEL 16:14-23
MEMORY VERSE: “But the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him.” 1 Samuel 16:14
A misguided desire is a desire that is contrary to God’s desire and it often leads to destruction. King Saul’s desire is a case in point. Although he was anointed by God and he had a mission in life, he struggled constantly with jealousy, insecurity, arrogance, deceit, and disobedience. He did not decide wholeheartedly to be committed to God. Because he would not let God’s love give rest to his heart, he never became God’s man.
Talking about his misguided desire, his disobedience regarding God’s instruction through Samuel on Amalek (1 Samuel 15:3) is well known: he kept some war booty against God’s instruction, claiming they were for sacrifice to God (1 Samuel 15:15). For this misguided desire, he paid dearly for it as seen from our memory verse – the Lord allowed the devil to have his way with him.
Are there things you desire for your family, Church, yourself, business, nation, etc.? They are contrary to God’s desires? In whatever we do, we should be careful so that our desires do not clash with God’s desires. His perfect will is that we should succeed, but we must follow His instructions to the letter to guide us to achieve success. He ‘reads’ our hearts. He knows what is best for us, our family, church, business, nation, etc.
- Are there things you desire that are contrary to God’s desire for you?
- Pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance.
FURTHER READING: Job 13:3; Psalm 19:7-11; Jeremiah 29:11; Micah 7:1
Read Yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
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ESOCS Devotional 21 February 2023
