The story of Saul always takes me by surprise. In the beginning, he is specifically called by God- and his response was to hide fearfully in the baggage. As he grows into the leadership position, he meets his demise in disobedience to God's orders. In 1 Samuel 15 we find God instructing Saul to go fight the Amalekites and to thoroughly destroy everything that belongs to them. As usually, God delivers the Israelites from the hands of their enemies. Everything seems to go according to plans except for one small aspect - Saul decided to not destroy everything. He spared the like of the Amalekite king, Agag, and kept the best of the livestock. As Samuel confronted Saul, rather than admitting his wrongdoing he lied. In verse thirteen he defends himself by asserting, "I have carried out the Lord's instructions." Samuel, being a prophet of God, clearly knew otherwise. Realising the grave mistake Saul pleads in verse 24, "I have sinned. I violated the Lord's command and your instructions.I was afraid of the people and so I gave in to them." Saul feared the people more than he feared God. Not only did Saul not fear God, but he thought the Lord would be okay with his sin since he intended on sacrificing the animals. He somehow thought that sacrifice could outweigh his blatant defiance. This anecdote ends with God mourning the fact that Saul ever even became king.
We see this story time and again in scripture. We read about the Israelites loss in the small town of Ai when they failed to seek God's guidance, and when Achan stole the coveted items which resulted in the death of both him and his family. This same theme rises up again and again. The sad thing is, we still refuse to learn this lesson today. It is a lesson I have to learn over and over again. How many times do we fear people more than we fear God? Often, we worry more about what people will think rather than what God will think. Saul looked around and saw a people that would oust him if he did not please them rather than a God who would deliver them if he obeyed.
Not only do we neglect fearing the Almighty, but we often trade in what is best for what we perceive as good. Saul rationalised his situation - maybe if I sacrifice the things I should have destroyed, God will be happy. He sought to please himself, his constituents, and God. In the end, he failed to do any of the above. As human beings we constantly trade in what is best in a desperate attempt to please ourselves, God, and those around us when in reality we do not even succeed at that. Our sole focus should be fulfilling the demands of our God and the rest will follow.
I cannot help but wonder - who do we fear more, God or people? Who do I fear more? To obey is better than sacrifice, but do I truly apply that to my life? Am I trading in God's perfect will for my life for something less than stellar? Saul neglected these aspects and lost his kingship to a young boy named David. I would hate to miss out because I had a misguided focus.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Lost in the baggage
Lately, as often happens, I have become my own worst enemy. The other day a devout Christian friend of mine uttered a statement that really opened my eyes. He simply said – Satan believes in you. I thought about it for a minute, they seemed like such harsh words to me. Then I realized that those few words are full of truth. If Satan did not believe in the things we could do through God, why would he need to attack us? Why would Satan be threatened if it were not true that we are more than conquerors through Christ? Therefore, it seems that often the biggest opponents to us are us.
We can see this time and again in the Bible We know the story of Moses who begged God to not choose him. In Exodus 3 we see Moses giving a desperate defense to God – but God you know I cannot speak, but God what if they do not believe me, but God I am just Moses. In 1Samuel 10 we find Saul hiding in the baggage because he is afraid to be king. Although Saul failed to follow the tenets of God, God chose him to be king and he desperately fought against the calling. Even in the New Testament we see the disciples run in fear, and Peter denied Jesus three times. We do not grasp the power of God in us and often hide in terror because we know the truth of ourselves; we know our humanity and failings. We forget that it is not our efforts, but Gods. So I have been wondering, what is it we are supposed to do? We are not all called to be pastors, missionaries, evangelists or worship leaders. But we are all called to glorify God in every aspect of our lives.
In Matthew 25 we find the parable of the talents. In this story, a master gives his servants different amounts of money. Two servants invest and double the return while one hides the talents in fear of losing them. Upon return, the master scolds the third and praises the first two. The latter servant receives nothing and the master took his single talent and gave it to those that invested. In Matthew 25: 29-30 we read, “For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” I just wonder, what has God given you? We do not all have money, but we do have gifts.
Luke 12:48b says, “For everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be required.” Where are you in this parable? Are you investing God’s gifts, taking a stand to make a difference with what you have been given? Are you Moses or Saul, running scared from the call God has on your life? Maybe you are burying your talents in the sand. God has a call on all of our lives. It can be big and small, but it will make an impact. Rather it be crafts, singing, writing, or just listening we cannot hide in the baggage and let someone else stand up. We have all been entrusted with something – your response is demanded.
We can see this time and again in the Bible We know the story of Moses who begged God to not choose him. In Exodus 3 we see Moses giving a desperate defense to God – but God you know I cannot speak, but God what if they do not believe me, but God I am just Moses. In 1Samuel 10 we find Saul hiding in the baggage because he is afraid to be king. Although Saul failed to follow the tenets of God, God chose him to be king and he desperately fought against the calling. Even in the New Testament we see the disciples run in fear, and Peter denied Jesus three times. We do not grasp the power of God in us and often hide in terror because we know the truth of ourselves; we know our humanity and failings. We forget that it is not our efforts, but Gods. So I have been wondering, what is it we are supposed to do? We are not all called to be pastors, missionaries, evangelists or worship leaders. But we are all called to glorify God in every aspect of our lives.
In Matthew 25 we find the parable of the talents. In this story, a master gives his servants different amounts of money. Two servants invest and double the return while one hides the talents in fear of losing them. Upon return, the master scolds the third and praises the first two. The latter servant receives nothing and the master took his single talent and gave it to those that invested. In Matthew 25: 29-30 we read, “For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” I just wonder, what has God given you? We do not all have money, but we do have gifts.
Luke 12:48b says, “For everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be required.” Where are you in this parable? Are you investing God’s gifts, taking a stand to make a difference with what you have been given? Are you Moses or Saul, running scared from the call God has on your life? Maybe you are burying your talents in the sand. God has a call on all of our lives. It can be big and small, but it will make an impact. Rather it be crafts, singing, writing, or just listening we cannot hide in the baggage and let someone else stand up. We have all been entrusted with something – your response is demanded.
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