Speechless no more

I'm at a loss for words. I would like to say that I am speechless due to God's grace, mercy, and love. Although that is often true, today I find myself speechless because God's word is just that confusing.

This week I will be leading a Bible study on 1 Samuel 9 and 10, a narrative about the anointment of Saul, the first king of the people of Israel. I have absolutely no idea which direction in which to lead the study. There are so many different aspects of this story, and so little time to present everything in a single study.

There's no doubt in my mind that I want God to be glorified through the study of his word. The easiest way to do this is to try to understand the character of God through the passage. But taking this perspective won't easily connect the study of the word with the members of the small group. So perhaps I should take the perspective of Saul and the people, exposing all of their emotions and motives. But I'm having enough trouble dissecting Saul as it is. How can I expose what his emotions were If i don't even know them? And then there's the big picture applications which don't fit in with either perspective... goodness.

I was personally blessed by 1 Samuel 9 and 10 when I saw that Saul simply obeyed. He left home to look for a lost donkey and came back anointed as a king?!? In the blink of an eye, Saul received the responsibility of leading a nation to victory in battle and in worship to the Lord. Whoa. His heart must've been racing and his brain must've been utterly confused. Yet in these two chapters, even though Saul didn't understand or fully agree with what was happening, he still obeyed. Even though he might not have had the desire to follow God, he still fulfilled his duty as a chosen and anointed servant.

As I follower of God, I am commanded to praise Him. Afterall, that's what I was created to do. Just like Saul, I shouldn't only follow God when it's convenient for me, I am commanded to follow always.

Hmmm.
I think I just found my inspiration for the study.

Praise God.