Facing times of Turmoil and Transition
A study in the life of Samuel
Samuel was born into a time of turmoil and transition. He did not pick or choose his circumstances. How did he fare? When the dust settled and the epitaph was written we can say Samuel was an over comer. He faced these times out of his relationship with God. It is that relationship we are going to take a look at this morning.
In times of turmoil and transition:
1. He and his mother were given over to their walk with the Lord; 1 Samuel 1:1-18; 2:1-11; 18; 26;
a. She prayed; she understood her condition; she understood His ability; 1-18; 2; 1-10;
b. Samuel pressed on; 18; 26;
2. Samuel was given over to the Word of the Lord; 3:1-21; He listened to God even though he found himself in the midst of corruption; he was found not only to listen to God but to be faithful to fully share what God was saying;
3. Samuel was given over to the Will of the Lord; 4:1-11; & 7:3-11; from defeat to victory; even though the people chose to ignore God they saw the tragedy of this choice and then repented;
4. Samuel was given over to the Ways of the Lord; yes even in a time of turmoil and transition when he did not understand, he was still trusting God and His ways rather than his own;
God’s Ways:
a. 8: 1-22; He allows His people to make bad choices;
b. 12:19-25; He does not abandoned His people even if they make bad choices;
c. 13:8-14; He always disciplines His people;
When you face times of turmoil and or transition are you dependent or independent of God? With Samuel and his mother it made the difference in being overcome and becoming an over comer. God has given us everything we need for life (even if it is turmoil and transition) and godliness.
