Trust & Obey

I am currently reading this book about a country in deep political turmoil; a king that is afflicted by demons trying to destroy the future king who’s best friends with his son. If you didn’t guess it, I’m reading the books of Samuel in the Old Testament. It’s rich with war, drama, and unique relationships. Every year I grow older, I see the excitement of the Old Testament and find the stories more fascinating.

As I was reading this morning (Wednesday), I was struck by a personality trait of God that I don’t think I have focused on enough. I read through chapters 6-10 today and in them, the narrator tells us that the people wanted a king for Israel and didn’t want to be a theocracy anymore. Through Samuel, God tells His people that a king will make them his slaves and that he will use their sons for his political gain, but the people don’t care. They say: “No! But there shall be a king over us, that we may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go before us and fight our battles” (1 Samuel 8:19b-20 English Standard Version). The Israelites are so obsessed with having what everyone else has that they don’t care about the consequences that God is explicitly warning them will happen. This isn’t a maybe, it is definite. Still, they want what everyone else has, and God allows them to have it. We often do the same thing with God. It probably isn’t about getting a king, but about other things that will replace Him in our lives somehow. We often put our trust in political leaders to carry us forward, when that trust that we place on them should truly be reserved for God alone as our protector and provider. Whenever we do that with leaders, like Saul, they are bound to fall short of our expectations.

What I just shared with you isn’t new, but what comes next surprised me. Samuel anoints Saul as the king over Israel and God totally equips Saul to do a good job. He doesn’t just equip Saul with good people or stuff, but He gives him His Spirit to dwell inside him! Our writer says: “When [Saul] turned his back to leave Samuel, a new heart was given to him. And all these signs came to pass that day. When they came to Gibeah, behold a group of prophets met him, and the Spirit of God rushed upon him, and he prophesied among them” (1 Samuel 10:9-10 ESV). God doesn’t just give the people Saul and that’s it. God equips Saul to handle his reign well, and to be a good leader. God cares that this new king does a good job, and leads the people in holiness.

Why does this matter? Because, it shows that God seeks to care for us and equip us even when we are not doing things His way. That doesn’t mean it will necessarily go well (if you keep reading through the books of Samuel you will see what I mean), but God will continue to guide us through life. Consequences await us, but even when we mess up, God is always there to scoop us up and help us when we cry out to Him. I think we often make God more human than we mean to. We think that if we do something out of God’s will or incorrect that means that God will scorn us or treat us differently (because that is how people work). However, God’s love is steadfast and faithful, even when we are not and that continues past our obedience. This truth is meant to bring ourselves into alignment with Him, because if He will love and care for us when we are out of His will, how much more will He dote and bless us when we are in it? God equipping Saul shows us that we can walk boldly through our lives because if we are doing what God wants He will care for us, and when we are off track God will still care for us and remain faithful, bringing us back on the right path with His stalwart love.