FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN

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You are not sovereign. God controls your destiny according to your heart. He guides the PRAYER - "Samuel Prays in Fear"

Samuel grieved over Saul's failure, but God rebuked him and ordered him to Bethlehem to pick a king from Jesse's sons. Samuel was afraid Saul would find out. He prayed, "How can I go? ...he will kill me." God instructed him to take a heifer and make a sacrifice. "I will show thee what thou shalt do." Even great men of God like Samuel are sometimes gripped with fear. But prayer is still the answer. God wants you to call on Him. CHALLENGE  

1 Samuel 16:4 - "And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Bethlehem."

PRINCIPALS - "The Boy David"

Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. But Samuel said, "The LORD hath not chosen these. Are here all thy children?" Many years earlier, this child prophet had "ministered before the LORD, being a child, girded with a linen ephod." Now he is going to anoint a child king who will soon rule all of Israel - the legendary David.

1 Samuel 16:11 - "And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither."


PRINCIPLES - "The LORD Looketh On The Heart"

What is in your heart? God looks into your heart to judge you. Your physical looks, your height, or your appearance cannot deceive God. Lots of people look better outside than they do inside, but God is not fooled. Samuel looked for a king among Jesse's boys, but none had the heart God wanted. He went outside and chose their little brother. What does God see in your heart? SOLUTION 

1 Samuel 16:7 - "I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart."

PROPHECIES - "An Evil Spirit from the LORD"

When Samuel saw the ruddy little David, the LORD said "Arise, anoint him. For this is he." Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him king, and "the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward." You are not sovereign. God controls your destiny according to your heart. He guides the righteous by His Spirit, but if you are wicked, God may loosen Satan to totally wreck your destiny. (See 1 Corinthians 5:5.)

1 Samuel 16:14 - "The Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him."

COMPLAINING