Emmanuel Okoro (aka MrLift)

NO EXCEPTION What if the thing standing between us and wholehearted obedience to God isn't rebellion—but the exceptions we keep making? We may obey God in the areas that are easy, comfortable, and convenient, while quietly holding on to the things we don't want to surrender. Saul didn't reject God's command completely; he simply made exceptions. And sometimes, our greatest problem isn't what we refuse to obey, but what we choose to spare. Scripture “Saul and the army made an exception for Agag, and for the choice sheep and cattle. They didn't include them under the terms of the holy ban. But all the rest, which nobody wanted anyway, they destroyed as decreed by the holy ban.”( 1 Samuel 15:9 ) Explanation God gave Saul a clear instruction concerning the Amalekites. There was no room for negotiation or personal preference. But when Saul and his army encountered Agag and the best of the sheep and cattle, they made an exception. Interestingly, the...

The First and the Last Kings of Israel The first often fights battles that the last gets to enjoy the victory from. Saul was the first king of Israel. His reign was marked by relentless battles with the Philistines. Solomon, the last king of the united kingdom of Israel, inherited a very different experience—a kingdom enjoying peace, security and contentment. The difference reminds us of a greater truth: what you experience can be determined by who you are connected to. Scripture “All through Saul's life there was war, bitter and relentless, with the Philistines. Saul conscripted every strong and brave man he laid eyes on.”(1 Samuel 14:52) “Throughout Solomon's life, everyone in Israel and Judah lived safe and sound, all of them from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south—content with what they had." (1 Kings 4:25) And concerning Adam and Christ: “One man said no to God and put many people in the wrong; one man said yes to God and put many in the right...

DENY YOURSELF It is easy to demand justice when someone else is at fault. The real test comes when the same standard points back at us. We often judge others by what they did, but judge ourselves by what we meant. We look at their actions and call them wrong; we look at our own actions and explain our intentions. But Jesus calls us to something deeper: self-denial. Scripture “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” ( Matthew 16:24 KJV ) Explanation Jonathan had eaten some honey during the battle. The problem was that Saul had placed the entire army under an oath that no one should eat until the battle was over. Jonathan had not heard the command. He was not present when Saul gave it. Yet when Saul discovered what had happened, he declared that Jonathan must die. Saul said, “It’s out of my hands—I can’t go against God, can I?” But there was something uncomfortable about Saul'...

Victory at What Cost? Not every victory is worth the price you pay for it. You can win the battle and still lose something more precious in the process. You can build a successful career and lose your marriage. You can grow a business and lose your children. You can accumulate wealth and lose your health. So the question is not only, “Can I win?” It is also, “What will winning cost me?” Scripture “They killed Philistines that day all the way from Micmash to Aijalon, but the soldiers ended up totally exhausted.”( 1 Samuel 14:31 ) Explanation Israel had just experienced a remarkable victory over the Philistines. But there was a problem: the soldiers were exhausted because they had been forbidden to eat before the battle was over. Saul had placed the army under a severe oath. The soldiers obeyed, not because the instruction was necessarily wise, but because they feared the curse attached to breaking it. They fought hungry. They fought under pressure. They fought until...

PLAY DEAF Sometimes, what you need to do to achieve the impossible is simply to play deaf! I once heard a story about a group of people who were given an impossible task. They all believed it was impossible, and because they believed it, none of them could accomplish it. Then someone came along who had not heard that the task was impossible. He simply attempted it—and succeeded. Sometimes, what we need to do is play deaf to the impossible situations in our lives. Scripture “But Jonathan hadn’t heard his father put the army under oath. He stuck the tip of his staff into some honey and ate it. Refreshed, his eyes lit up with renewed vigor.” ( 1 Samuel 14:27 ) Explanation This is what the story of Jonathan reminds me of. Saul had given an instruction and placed a curse on anyone who ate or drank anything until he had “wreaked vengeance on my enemies.” But Jonathan did not hear the instruction . So when he came across some honey, he ate it. And that little taste of ho...

Bosses Sometimes Act Foolishly Never confuse authority with infallibility. The people we look up to can inspire us, lead us, protect us and make great decisions—but they can also get it wrong. Even the person at the top is still human. Scripture “Saul did something really foolish that day. He addressed the army: ‘A curse on the man who eats anything before evening, before I’ve wreaked vengeance on my enemies!’ None of them ate a thing all day.”( 1 Samuel 14:24 ) Explanation Children often see their parents as superheroes. Followers can see their leaders as almost invincible. Subjects may assume their king must always know what he is doing. But when it comes down to it, all men are still men. The Bible says Saul “did something really foolish that day.” Notice the wording: that day. Saul was not foolish every day, but on this occasion, he made a foolish decision. Perhaps Saul thought he was motivating his troops. He wanted them focused, determined and committed to d...