Hopeless? Help Awaits! | 1 Samuel 13:15-18

Vince Miller Podcast

Have you been disobedient and find yourself outnumbered and outflanked?

Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller.

This week, we are in 1 Samuel 13. I've titled this chapter "Partial Obedience Is Complete Disobedience."

In Chapter 13, the Philistines test Saul. Saul offers a burnt offering he should not have. Samuel pronounces an indictment against Saul. And not the Philistines are getting ready to go to war with Israel.

And Saul numbered the people who were present with him, about six hundred men. And Saul and Jonathan his son and the people who were present with them stayed in Geba of Benjamin, but the Philistines encamped in Michmash. And raiders came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies. One company turned toward Ophrah, to the land of Shual; another company turned toward Beth-horon; and another company turned toward the border that looks down on the Valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness. — 1 Samuel 13:15-18

Here is what we learn in this text. Saul and Jonathan combine forces because now the Philistines are all stirred up. The problem they now have is their combined force is only about 600 men in comparison to the 36,000 plus soldiers ready in the Philistine camp just a few miles away. They are clearly close enough that they can see the camp and their strategic movements as they come out in three different waves; one travels north, another east, and the last west.

This is a portrait of a hopeless situation. Saul, Jonathan, and their 600 warriors are outnumbered and outflanked, and with that, their King has just committed an offense against God.

I don't know if you have ever been in a situation like this in your life, but there is nothing like this moment. Nothing tests our faith more than knowing we have been disobedient, and in the shadow of this event, we discover we are outnumbered and outflanked.

The only good part for a believer is that you have no one and nothing to trust in other than God, not even your own obedience. In complete helplessness, you are forced to turn to the only Helper. Reduced to a state of helplessness, you must rely on the help of God.

With age and wisdom, I have come to learn that helplessness, as irritating and unsettling as it can be, is God's proving ground for discipling me in faith. It is the training ground for relying less on myself and more on him. He uses helplessness to rewire my mind, soul, and heart to his ways and his help and deepen my trust and faith in him. He does it so I will be stronger for the coming season, responding more quickly in faith and leading others to the same faith in their helplessness.

Have you been in a helpless situation like Israel, disobedient and outnumbered and outflanked where God has been your help? Then tell others how God was your divine help.

Are you in a helpless situation, disobedient, feeling outnumbered and outflanked? Then turn to God, who is your help, and let God disciple you in the ways of faith. And get ready to tell the story of what God will do because God is faithful even when we are not. He is our help and salvation.

#TrustInGod, #FaithUnderFire, #DivineHelp

Ask This:

1. In what areas of your life have you experienced a sense of helplessness, and how can you turn to God for strength and guidance in those moments?
2. How can you share a story of God’s faithfulness during a time when you felt outnumbered and outflanked, and how might your testimony encourage others in their faith journey?

Do This:

Turn to the Lord your Help.

Pray This:

Lord, when I find myself outnumbered and outflanked by life's challenges, help me to rely on Your strength and guidance. Teach me to trust in Your faithfulness, even when I have been disobedient, knowing that You are my ultimate helper and salvation. Amen.

Play This:

Living Hope.