1. God’s Providence 1 Samuel 7-9

2. Overview of the Chapters  They repented (1 Samuel 7:2-6). 1 Samuel 7:2-6 1 Sam 8:1-5 1 Sam 9:15-17 Romans 8:28 Matt 25:14-30 Ephesians 3:20 So it was that the ark remained in Kirjath Jearim a long time; it was there twenty years. And all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD. Then Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, "If you return to the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths from among you, and prepare your hearts for the LORD, and serve Him only; and He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines." So the children of Israel put away the Baals and the Ashtoreths, and served the LORD only. And Samuel said, "Gather all Israel to Mizpah, and I will pray to the LORD for you." So they gathered together at Mizpah, drew water, and poured it out before the LORD. And they fasted that day, and said there, "We have sinned against the LORD." And Samuel judged the children of Israel at Mizpah.

3. Overview of the Chapters  They repented (1 Samuel 7:2-6).  They asked for a king (1 Samuel 8:1-5). Pandora’s Box was opened. Pandora’s Box was opened. 1 Samuel 7:2-6 1 Samuel 8:1-5 1 Samuel 9:15-17 Romans 8:28 Matthew 25:14-30 Ephesians 3:20 Now it came to pass when Samuel was old that he made his sons judges over Israel. The name of his firstborn was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judges in Beersheba. But his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside after dishonest gain, took bribes, and perverted justice. Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah, and said to him, "Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations."

4. Overview of the Chapters  They repented (1 Samuel 7:2-6).  They asked for a king (1 Samuel 8:1-5). Pandora’s Box was opened. Pandora’s Box was opened.  In chapter 9, God provided them a king.  Note these ‘coincidences’ with the donkeys In searching they ‘happened’ upon the town where Samuel ‘happened’ to be visiting. In searching they ‘happened’ upon the town where Samuel ‘happened’ to be visiting. Saul’s servant ‘happened’ to think a prophet lived in the town and thought to ask him. Saul’s servant ‘happened’ to think a prophet lived in the town and thought to ask him. They ‘happened’ upon a servant who referred them to the prophet. They ‘happened’ upon a servant who referred them to the prophet. 1 Samuel 7:2-6 1 Samuel 8:1-5 1 Samuel 9:15-17 Romans 8:28 Matthew 25:14-30 Ephesians 3:20

5. Providence and Saul  While these events seemed coincidental, God said He SENT Saul to Samuel.  1 Samuel 9:15-17 God’s PERSON was sent. God’s PERSON was sent. God’s PLACE was determined. God’s PLACE was determined. God’s TIME was set. God’s TIME was set. God’s PROVIDENCE was enacted! God’s PROVIDENCE was enacted! 1 Samuel 7:2-6 1 Samuel 8:1-5 1 Samuel 9:15-17 Romans 8:28 Matthew 25:14-30 Ephesians 3:20 Now the LORD had told Samuel in his ear the day before Saul came, saying, "Tomorrow about this time I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him commander over My people Israel, that he may save My people from the hand of the Philistines; for I have looked upon My people, because their cry has come to Me." So when Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said to him, "There he is, the man of whom I spoke to you. This one shall reign over My people."

6. Providence and YOU Romans 8:28  Not everything that happens is good.  If we are faithful, things will work toward that end though! 1 Samuel 7:2-6 1 Samuel 8:1-5 1 Samuel 9:15-17 Romans 8:28 Matthew 25:14-30 Ephesians 3:20 “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

7. Providence and YOU Romans 8:28 Why Are You Here?  You are at this place and time for a reason  God can use you for good in this world! How Do We Let God Use Us?  Get right with God first.  Determine to be a light in this world.  Look for opportunities and dive in! 1 Samuel 7:2-6 1 Samuel 8:1-5 1 Samuel 9:15-17 Romans 8:28 Matthew 25:14-30 Ephesians 3:20 “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

8. Providence and YOU Matthew 25:14-30 1 Samuel 7:2-6 1 Samuel 8:1-5 1 Samuel 9:15-17 Romans 8:28 Matthew 25:14-30 Ephesians 3:20

9. Providence and YOU 1 Samuel 7:2-6 1 Samuel 8:1-5 1 Samuel 9:15-17 Romans 8:28 Matthew 25:14-30 Ephesians 3:20 "For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord's money. After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. "So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, 'Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.' His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' He also who had received two talents came and said, 'Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.' His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' "Then he who had received the one talent came and said, 'Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.' "But his lord answered and said to him, 'You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. 'For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

10. Providence and YOU Matthew 25:14-30 Notice verse 15  Talents are based on ability.  He is talking about using opportunities  He will give us opportunities based on our abilities—even abilities we do not know we possess!  You can do more than you think!  Accomplishment is more about availability than ability. 1 Samuel 7:2-6 1 Samuel 8:1-5 1 Samuel 9:15-17 Romans 8:28 Matthew 25:14-30 Ephesians 3:20 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.

11. Providence and YOU Ephesians 3:20 It’s not that He can do more than we think possible. It’s not that He can do abundantly more than we think possible. He can do exceedingly abundantly more than we think possible, or can even imagine! 1 Samuel 7:2-6 1 Samuel 8:1-5 1 Samuel 9:15-17 Romans 8:28 Matthew 25:14-30 Ephesians 3:20 “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us…”

12. Providence and YOU Ephesians 3:20 This is according to the power that works within us!  Do not again say, “I can’t.” Say, “GOD CAN!”  Doing is not a matter of ability but faith.  Believe that God can, even if you think you cannot! 1 Samuel 7:2-6 1 Samuel 8:1-5 1 Samuel 9:15-17 Romans 8:28 Matthew 25:14-30 Ephesians 3:20 “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us…”

13. Concluding Thoughts 1. God can use you only if you are available for use. 2. God can use you beyond what you think possible! 3. “Doing” is not as much a matter of ability as it is a matter of faith. 4. Remember the things we found with Saul and apply them to yourselves… 1 Samuel 7:2-6 1 Samuel 8:1-5 1 Samuel 9:15-17 Romans 8:28 Matthew 25:14-30 Ephesians 3:20

14. Concluding Thoughts 1. God’s PERSON was sent. God has put YOU in your place for a reason. Be available! God has put YOU in your place for a reason. Be available! 2. God’s PLACE was determined. God has you HERE for a reason. Fulfill it! God has you HERE for a reason. Fulfill it! 3. God’s TIME was set. He has you here at this TIME for a reason. Live in the present! He has you here at this TIME for a reason. Live in the present! 4. God’s PROVIDENCE was enacted. 1 Samuel 7:2-6 1 Samuel 8:1-5 1 Samuel 9:15-17 Romans 8:28 Matthew 25:14-30 Ephesians 3:20