SAUL was now about to leave Samuel but the purpose for which God had sent him to Samuel had not as yet been fulfilled. God had sent him to be anointed, by Samuel, as captain over His people, Israel. (v. 16.) Samuel, however, did not anoint Saul until the very last moment, when he was going away. And in this Samuel, no doubt, was guided by divine wisdom. The Lord had certainly told Samuel to anoint the man, whom He would send unto him, and Samuel might have performed this ceremony upon Saul the moment he first met him. But as to just the time when this might be most fittingly done, Samuel needed God’s wisdom to direct him. There may have been many reasons why Samuel thus deferred anointing Saul until he was departing; but we may safely mention one important truth which it suggests to us; and that is, the Lord as a rule does not act hastily. And especially is this true when He deals in judgment. His word tells us that He is slow to anger but plenteous in mercy. He is merciful to the unrighteousness of men, and is willing to blot out all their sins and iniquities. He waits upon men to be gracious, and is calling upon them to repent and turn to Him. He does all this in His great patience, not willing that any should perish.
And, dear children, if any of you do not know Him, then let me tell you that the Father is waiting at the threshold of His door for you to say, like the prodigal, “I will arise and go to my Father;” and then He will run to meet you, and throw His loving arms around you and make you His own forever.
But how very sad it is to see people all around us despising God’s patience. They think that because He does not at once deal with wickedness, they may still go on in rebellion against Him, and never suffer for their sins. But the word of God tells us that their damnation slumbereth not, and that the day of His judgment shall overtake them as a thief. Oh, let all who are strangers to God’s grace take warning, and flee to Jesus for refuge, before the Master rises up and shuts the door.
Now it is God’s grace, His favor toward us, that saves us. We are brought to know God as our Father, and we are His children. But this is not all. He has called us to inherit His eternal glory. And while we are in this world, we only look on to that glory, but have not yet entered into it. God will surely bring all the redeemed into that glory to enjoy it with Christ, the Redeemer. And this shows to us that the Lord does not give us to enter into our full portion the moment we are converted. He keeps us waiting here in patience in this world until He is pleased to glorify us together with Christ. We are here to be taught by Him, as step by step He leads us on. We keep ever before us His promise of eternal glory. And He tells us in His word that we have need of patience, that, after we have done His will, we might receive the promise. Not one good thing that He has spoken concerning us shall fail, although He is pleased to defer our full blessing to the end of our journey, when we shall be perfectly conformed to the image of His Son. Just think, dear children, that we who belong to Jesus are going to be made just like Him, perfect in beauty and perfect in holiness. We shall also gaze upon His lovely face and be with Him forever.
ML 12/14/1902