1 Samuel chapter 10 verses 9-11 (NIV)
As Saul turned to leave Samuel, God changed Saul’s heart, and all these signs were fulfilled that day. When he and his servant arrived at Gibeah, a procession of prophets met him; the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him, and he joined in their prophesying. When all those who had formerly known him saw him prophesying with the prophets, they asked each other, “What is this that has happened to the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?”
Saul had no ambition to be Israel’s king. Later on in this chapter, we read that he was actually so nervous that when the time came to declare him as king that he hid among the baggage. But God had chosen Him, so God changed his heart. It wasn’t something Saul could do on his own strength. He needed God to change him. We see how God’s spirit came down on him too when he joined a company of prophets as he returned home from seeing Samuel. Those who knew him and saw him prophesy, were skeptical because this was not the Saul they thought they knew. And he wasn’t, because God had changed him! When we come to faith its not a journey of self-reformation. God has plans for us that may not be the ones we would choose for ourselves, so He has to change our hearts and we need to allow the Holy Spirit, who came into our life when we first came to God, to move in our lives. People may be surprised at the things we then are able to do as God enables us.
I used to get so nervous if asked to give my testimony, or even read verses or one of my poems, that I could barely get the words out. I had no ambitions to stand out the front of a church meeting and speak. But God had other plans. Over many years now I have on occasion been asked not only to testify, but to bring God’s word and lead a meeting. I have even been privileged to take the funeral of a very dear lady who used to come to our church meetings at a local sheltered housing complex. I can therefore say for sure these things were done in God’s strength and not mine, and certainly only because of the Holy Spirit’s anointing. God may choose to use the natural giftings He has given us, but He also is responsible for the spiritual gifts He wants to give us, and they may not be the ones that we would choose. But those who think they know us may be surprised when they see how God can move, even in us, and that can have a big impact on their lives too. And the glory is then deflected away from us, and back to God where it should be.
Dear God,
I’m grateful that when I yield to Your plans rather than mine, I am blessed to see Your hand at work in my life. I pray for the willingness and faith to yield without doubting, and to allow You to continue to change my heart. I pray that You will receive all the praise and glory. I pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen.