Living With A Javelin In Your Hand

Below is an excerpt from the sermon...
If you have your Bibles, we will look at one verse in Hebrews and then the rest of the story in 1 Samuel tonight. Let’s look over to the book of Hebrews Chapter 12. We’ve been in the book of Judges, talking about defeat through feelings. This story tonight actually takes place during the time of the judges. But notice the theme verse or the doctrinal verse that surrounds the whole study tonight.
Look at this in Hebrews 12. If you have it, let’s look at it verse 15. What a warning for us. He says, “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God…” So, it could happen to any of us, right? Lest any man. It’s not saying this is a sin just for men. It means mankind if you will. “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.” (Hebrews 12:15). That means God is trying to give us grace, and He always gives the grace to be saved. And then, the Bible says, “the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men (Titus 2:11), but ofttimes. He gives grace when we’re hurting. So, if we succeed at grace, succeed in the grace of God, that means what He’s giving us we’re receiving. So, to “fail the grace of God” would be not to accept the grace that He’s trying to give us.
So, notice what he’s saying here, “looking diligently” — like you dropped a contact lens, like you lost your car keys. I mean, you’re looking lest any of us or “any man fail of the grace of God” Now, notice what happens when we reject his grace: “…lest any root of bitterness springing up…” Overnight it just springs up. It just breaks the ground. Just a little seedling. Notice what bitterness does. It “…trouble[s] you, and thereby many be defiled” (Hebrews 12:15b). So, bitterness brings trouble to us and many others. It’s not like it’s just my life and doesn’t affect anybody else. No, bitterness affects us, and it brings trouble to others as well.
With that in mind, let’s look back at the book of 1 Samuel, if you will, in chapter number 9. 1 Samuel chapter 9. We’re going to look at a lot of Scriptures and then give you some conclusions. So, some of this will be highlights in the story. I want to speak on this subject tonight. Here’s are the possible titles. “Living with a Javelin in Your Hand,” or we could call it “A Little Saul in Us All,” or we could call it “Victory Over Anger.” If I keep giving it titles, we will have to dismiss. We won’t have time to get to the message. But it’s one of the titles right there. So, I want to give you four thoughts tonight on the subject of overcoming anger. And it’s a study in the life of King Saul, the first king of Israel.
Notice in 1 Samuel 9:2 “And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice young man, and a goodly…” Last phrase, verse 2: “…he was higher than any of the people.” Natural man, natural leader. He was a tall, good-looking guy. Strong. Head and shoulders above everyone in his nation. So, natural leadership. He’s going to see the man of God, Samuel.
1 Samuel 9:7, the last phrase: “…what shall we bring the man?” (talking about Samuel). So, he respected the man of God. He wants to bring a gift when he meets with Samuel. So, this guy is a leader. He’s a giver.
And then in 1 Samuel 9:21, it’s time to anoint him king, and he’s hiding. So, he’s humble. “And Saul answered and said, Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel?…” He’s humble. He’s got all the makings for a great leader.
And then we see in 1 Samuel 10:1 “Then Samuel took a vial of oil and poured it upon his head…” He’s now anointed to be the king. 1 Samuel 10:6: God turned him into another man. 1 Samuel 10:6, the middle phrase: “God gave him another heart.” 1 Samuel 10:22: It’s time to reveal the king, and it says, “…he hath hid himself among the stuff.” So, he pulled back from wanting to be the leader. He was not proud. He was not trying to uh throw himself into leadership. These are all things a great leader should be.
Then, the middle phrase of 1 Samuel 11:7: “Whosoever cometh not forth after Saul and after Samuel…” So, he identified himself with the man of God, Samuel — the prophet, Samuel.
The Subliminal
Now, keep going a little bit further. Skip over to 1 Samuel 13. Years are starting to pass. He has been sworn in. He is now the king, and it’s time to have a battle. He’s got two troops. His son, Jonathan, is leading one, and he’s leading one. Jonathan has a victory. His son, Jonathan, defeats the Philistines. But notice 1 Samuel 13:4: “And all Israel heard say that Saul had smitten a garrison of the Philistines…” His son had the victory, but Saul took the credit. So, there are some subtle things now starting to come into the life of Saul. He doesn’t start throwing javelins the first month of his reign. But you’re going to see what I call — number one — the subliminal. It’s below the surface. There’s something’s starting to come into King Saul’s life that’s going to breed anger.
Then it’s time for the Sacrifice. 1 Samuel 13:8: “And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed: but Samuel came not to Gilgal…” Samuel was supposed to show up to do the sacrifice. Seven days passed. People get nervous. 1 Samuel 13:9 “And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering.” That was only supposed to be done by the priest. The priest did that, not the king, not a politician. Samuel was a little bit late, so Saul said, “Give it here. I’ll do the burnt offering.” He was never to do that. He was impatient.
Not only that, but look in 1 Samuel 13:11: “And Samuel said, What hast thou done?…” Saul says, “Because you were late.” That’s basically what he said — “You were late.” So, now we see him blame-shifting. He has disobeyed the command of the Lord, but “it wasn’t his fault.” It’s somebody else’s fault. You follow me here? This king, he’s going to have anger issues. Where do these things come from?