Watching In Real-Time...

Have you ever deeply thought about God’s sovereignty? I mean really dove into the recesses of it? Just think, God knows the beginning and end of your life here on earth. He knows your thoughts and desires. It’s like your life is one long movie in which God knows the plot, the climax, and the end. He knows exactly what you’re thinking right now. When I tell people God knows what’s going on in their lives most don’t believe me or just blow it off as superstition. The point I want to make here is twofold. First, if God knows what’s about to happen in my life, I should trust Him, for He is for us, not against us. He knows me better than I know myself. When I make the decision to pursue knowing God, I truly get to know myself better than I could ever know myself on my own. Secondly, if God knows what’s best, knows the outcome of my life, and loves me enough to die on a cross in my place, the only rational, logical response is to trust Him. And that trust isn’t any good until it’s lived out in action. Thomas Carlisle wrote, "Conviction, be it ever so excellent, is worthless until it converts itself into conduct." Our lives can be looked at as a movie. God wrote the script, and directed and produced it. It’s already been released and is in His theater. We, however, only get to watch it in real time, seeing the present and past, unknowing of the future. Our job is to trust the director and do what He says. By following the script (with obedience), the movie we participate in turns out to be the blockbuster, academy award winning movie in eternity. We just need to trust the director, knowing He knows the script better than we do. By participating with faith in the Director, we ensure our best in this life, and God changes us into a new creation. Do you see God as the Sovereign Director of your life?

1 Then Samuel took a flask of olive oil and poured it over Saul’s head. He kissed Saul and said, “I am doing this because the Lord has appointed you to be the ruler over Israel, his special possession. 2 When you leave me today, you will see two men beside Rachel’s tomb at Zelzah, on the border of Benjamin. They will tell you that the donkeys have been found and that your father has stopped worrying about them and is now worried about you. He is asking, ‘Have you seen my son?’3 “When you get to the oak of Tabor, you will see three men coming toward you who are on their way to worship God at Bethel. One will be bringing three young goats, another will have three loaves of bread, and the third will be carrying a wineskin full of wine. 4 They will greet you and offer you two of the loaves, which you are to accept.5 “When you arrive at Gibeah of God, where the garrison of the Philistines is located, you will meet a band of prophets coming down from the place of worship. They will be playing a harp, a tambourine, a flute, and a lyre, and they will be prophesying. 6 At that time the Spirit of the Lord will come powerfully upon you, and you will prophesy with them. You will be changed into a different person. 7 After these signs take place, do what must be done, for God is with you. 8 Then go down to Gilgal ahead of me. I will join you there to sacrifice burnt offerings and peace offerings. You must wait for seven days until I arrive and give you further instructions.” 9 As Saul turned and started to leave, God gave him a new heart, and all Samuel’s signs were fulfilled that day. 10 When Saul and his servant arrived at Gibeah, they saw a group of prophets coming toward them. Then the Spirit of God came powerfully upon Saul, and he, too, began to prophesy. 11 When those who knew Saul heard about it, they exclaimed, “What? Is even Saul a prophet? How did the son of Kish become a prophet?”12 And one of those standing there said, “Can anyone become a prophet, no matter who his father is?” So that is the origin of the saying “Is even Saul a prophet?”13 When Saul had finished prophesying, he went up to the place of worship. 14 “Where have you been?” Saul’s uncle asked him and his servant.“We were looking for the donkeys,” Saul replied, “but we couldn’t find them. So we went to Samuel to ask him where they were.”15 “Oh? And what did he say?” his uncle asked.16 “He told us that the donkeys had already been found,” Saul replied. But Saul didn’t tell his uncle what Samuel said about the kingdom. 1 Samuel 10:1-16