As the time of the Judges comes to a close, Hannah, a faithful servant of the Lord, as promised, offers her only child, Samuel, to the Lord to be His servant. Eli, an unfaithful priest, was unwilling to discipline his sons or show tough love. Samuel, when God calls, answers with, "Here I am!"

The incident where the Israelites tried to use the Ark of the Covenant as a magical talisman in order to win a battle against the Philistines demonstrates the reality that God cannot be controlled by anyone. He is in control even when it does not seem so. God uses pain and suffering to get our attention so that we will turn to him. He does not want any to perish but wants all to receive eternal life.

The calling of Saul can teach us important lessons in spiritual leadership. Servant leaders need to prepare ahead of their calling and must be willing to be different. God calls them to cling to these three truths of spiritual leadership: Listen to Me and I will supply all you need, these people are Mine, and I love you.

When the Israelites demanded a king, they looked at the outward appearances but God looks inward at the heart. The people saw Saul, tall, handsome and wealthy and desired him for their king, but he did not trust God nor obeyed Him. After God rejected Saul as king, He chose David, a man after His own heart.

Everyone faces giants in their life at some time. God prepared David to face his giant, Goliath, by teaching him to trust in Him as he faced the lions and bears that attacked the sheep David guarded in the fields. David acknowledged that the God who rescued him from the paw of the lion and bear would also rescue him from Goliath. The battles he faced as a shepherd prepared him to face giants in the future.

Spiritual friendships are impossible if there is unbridled anger or envy present. Replace the fear underlying the anger and envy with service. If you are under attack from an angry person, first, get out of an unsafe situation. Then, try to do good and be humble, and let the situation fuel your prayer life. Spiritual friendships take initiative, encouragement plus affection, and sacrifice plus vulnerability.

When the waiting on God becomes weeks, months, even years, will you take matters into your own hands or will you actively wait upon the Lord? Will you trust God to bring you spiritual friends while repeatedly seeking God in prayer? Will you refrain from repaying evil with evil while remembering the times God has come through?

King David and King Saul chose different paths. King Saul refused to obey God and was surprised when in need, God did not answer him. He even went so far as to consult a spiritual medium for advice. But David, even after going his own way for a time, turned back to God and heard from Him when he called upon Him.