In 1 Samuel 16, Samuel is lamenting over Saul being rejected as King. Saul failed the test to lead God’s people. God is appointing a new king. He instructs Samuel “fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen a new king” (1 Samuel 16:1, NIV). God declares that the chapter on Saul is closed and beckons Samuel to move toward something new.
Samuel is stuck while God moves on toward what is to be. We all face the tension between holding onto the familiar and stepping into the unknown. Whether it’s a relationship that’s run its course, a career that no longer fits, or a dream that didn’t unfold as expected, we often find ourselves gripping tightly to what God is asking us to release.
Disappointment Meets Divine Redirection
Samuel’s struggle is not about lack of faith. It is the processing of his disappointment and embracing divine redirection. Saul failed the purpose tests—surrendering to man’s will instead of surrendering to God’s will. God’s will and purpose do not change. He says “My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please (Isa 46:10, NIV). The instrument used for execution changes. When one vessel proves unfit, God simply anoints another person with the oil to answer his call.
Isaiah 43:19 (NIV) God states “see I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” God specializes in creating something beautiful from barren places that require participation by letting go.
Three Steps to Embracing God’s New Thing
To embrace God’s new thing requires three crucial steps. First, you must release what no longer serves you, even when it’s difficult. Samuel had to stop lamenting Saul to see David clearly. Second, you must believe that something greater is possible. God’s plans aren’t lateral moves—they’re upgrades, even when they don’t initially appear that way. Finally, you must trust in what cannot yet be seen. David was just a shepherd boy when Samuel arrived with the oil, yet God sees a future king.
From Wilderness to Wonder
The wilderness seasons of your life are not punishments, they are preparation. God makes streams in wastelands not to keep you comfortable in desolate places, but to sustain you as you journey toward something better. Samuel’s willingness to move forward, horn of oil in hand, positioned him to participate in one of history’s greatest divine appointments.
When God does a new thing in your life, your response determines whether you become part of the miracle or remain stuck in yesterday’s disappointments.
