Legacy Training

Monday, October 12

1 Samuel 9:1-2 (NKJV)

“There was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power. And he had a choice and handsome son whose name was Saul. There was not a more handsome person than he among the children of Israel. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people.”

Devotion

Our legacy of tomorrow depends on our choices today. Kish was a mighty man of power. Saul, his son, was destined to do great things as well, until Saul’s pride stepped in and became ruler over him instead of the truth of who he was in God. Saul lacked spiritual training, but he had shown obedience to his father in the natural.

The people, not God, wanted a leader. But God gave them what they wanted. Going with the herd mentality is generally popular when one measures it by worldly values. But the spiritual realm operates quite contrarily. Saul walked in obedience for a time, but his training became lethargic, and thus, his will for himself became greater. The turning point in seeking God’s will is seen in 1 Samuel 15:22, when Saul disobeyed the Lord: “...to obey is better than sacrifice.” Saul chose himself; Saul chose disobedience. His choices and disregard for training disqualified him.

How should one cross-train to walk in obedience, in the fear of the Lord? In a perfect world, there would be unlimited time to focus on our spiritual walk, but that is not reality. Our walk requires disciplining ourselves and forcing our bodies into subjection. Discipline is costly, but the cost of disobedience is greater. No endurance athlete loves going out to run 26 or 50 miles, but they discipline themselves little by little. They force their bodies into subjection and to line up with the goal. Christians need the same focus—the discipline to train when our will to kick against feels stronger. The discipline to make hard choices because God desires for us to honor Him in our entire walk.

What are we willing to say “No” to this week in order to say “Yes” to God?

Today's Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

Please help me to fear You and to embrace the required discipline to train myself for Your honor and Your glory. Help me to say “no” to those things that will disqualify me from hearing, “Well done, thy good and faithful servant.” Give me a desire and a vision for all that You have for my life. And, Holy Spirit, give me the strength and courage to walk away from the sin that hinders me from obtaining the abundance You have for me. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Apply It Today

Read Isaiah 55:6–9. In the fear (reverence, respect, and awe) of the Lord, ask the Holy Spirit to point out anything in your life that is not in alignment with God’s Word. Start today with just one thing and make the change. Your action will honor Him.

Resources

• Missed yesterday’s message? Make time to watch “A Fresh Dose of the Fear of God.” Let it remind you what it means to honor God, walk in reverence, and align your life with His Word. You don’t want to miss this!
• Read 1 Timothy 4:7–8 and reflect on the importance of intentionally training your spiritual life. Just as physical training requires consistency and discipline, spiritual growth requires daily choices that draw you closer to God.