DAY10 The Slippery Slope of Success
Today’s Bible Reading
1 Samuel 15:10-23
Although you were once small in your own eyes.... The Lord anointed you king over Israel.- 1 Samuel 15: 17
Someone once made this wise comment: “You’ve made it as soon as you become uninterested in money, fame and getting rewarded.” Unfortunately, just the opposite often happens when something we have done is noticed and praised. We can quickly become proud and feel important.
Just before Saul was made king of Israel, he saw himself as a member of an unimportant family in the smallest tribe of Israel (1 Samuel 9:21). Within a few years, however, he had started to think he was a big deal and made up his own rules for how he should live (15:11-12).
The prophet Samuel stood up to Saul for his disobedience to God by reminding him, “Although you were once small in your own eyes, did you not become the head of the tribes of Israel? The Lord anointed you king over Israel.” (v.17).
Self-importance is the first step down the slippery slope of what we call ‘success’. It begins when we take credit for things God has done and twist the Bible’s words to suit ourselves. True success is staying on God’s path by obeying Him and giving Him praise, instead of wanting it for ourselves.
By David McCasland
Questions:
1. What can you learn about king Saul’s actions and his character (the kind of person he was) in today’s reading (1 Samuel 15:11, 12, 13, 15, 20-21)? Write down at least two actions and what they reveal about his character.
2. What did Samuel say to King Saul, and why did he say that (1 Samuel 15:14, 17-19, 22-34)? List down at least two things he told King Saul and his possible reasons for saying them.
3. How does the world define success? From today’s reading, how does God define success?
Which definition will you use to measure your own life and achievements?
Prayer:
Help me, God, not to be proud when things go well, but to thank You and keep relying on You for everything. Thank You that everything good comes from You, and that You are always with me.
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