To Live Is Christ

As we look into Samuel's address to the nation of Israel, we see a man who feels a bit of hurt and devastation from the fact they wanted to replace him with a king. He's worked his whole life at the same job and now he's to be replaced. These kinds of major disappointments tend to make us feel like we can't continue in this life. The Apostle Paul struggled so hard that he wished God would take him because "to die is gain." In these difficult moments we basically have two options: (1) respond in the flesh or (2) respond in the spirit. Samuel models for us what a response in the spirit should be - "As for me, I vow that I will not sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you. I will teach you the good and right way."