“And Samuel said unto him, The LORD hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, that is better than thou.”
1Sam.15.28
Discussion
God chose and anointed Saul to be king over Israel, but because of his gross misbehaviour, he was replaced by the young son of Jesse. Saul didn't know that while he was busy misbehaving, God was already grooming his replacement (1Sam.15.28). That neighbour was David. Neighbour implies one who is nearby. Saul was not aware that God cannot be held hostage neither can his plan be hijacked. While Saul was disobeying and failing his tests, David was obeying and passing his. 1Sam.16.1; "And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons." Eli was another man chosen and anointed by God to be the high priest of Israel and his sons served as priests under him.
God made known his plan to have Eli's descendants serve as priests in God's house forever under the old covenant. But his sons; Hophni and Phinehas began to oppress God's people and commit adultery with the female sanctuary workers. Despite warnings from God, Eli did not deal strongly with his sons. Instead, he treated them with kid gloves (1Sam.2.25). Meanwhile, Eli did not know that God was grooming his replacement, right under his nose. The next High priest and prophet of Israel was being trained by Eli himself. The one who will obey God where Eli disobeyed God was right in the neighbourhood, and Eli did not know. Sir/ma, whatever God has asked you to do and you keep disobeying, procrastinating, making excuses, rebelling, perverting his work or sinning against God, someone else is being raised who will obey God (1Sam.2.26). Judas was one of Jesus' 12 disciples but greed for money and ungodliness made him lose his ministry. This did not mess up God's plan for his church. Judas was replaced by Matthias (Acts.1.20-22) Notice that Matthias was with Jesus all the while Judas was with Jesus. Judas' replacement was being groomed all the while Judas was misbehaving. Let this wake you up today. If you keep disobeying God and living in sin, know this today, your replacement is nearby.Wake up!
Meditation
Rom.11.22; — Notice how God is both kind and severe. He is severe to those who disobeyed, but kind to you as you continue to trust in his kindness. But if you stop trusting, you also will be cut off. NLT