“And Samuel said to all the people, See ye him whom the LORD hath chosen, that there is none like him among all the people? And all the people shouted, and said, God save the king.” (1Sam 10:24)
This accolade from Samuel is about King Saul on the day of his coronation. King Saul was chosen by God and anointed by God’s prophet to do a work for God’s people. If you had been there on that day, you would be able to see the truth of it just by looking at him. He was “a choice young man, and a goodly: and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people.” (9:2) It’s no wonder the joyful shout went up from the crowd, “God save the king.” They had high hopes.
We’ve also been chosen by God. We also have been anointed by God Himself with His Holy Spirit. We have a work to do for God’s people and for a world lost and condemned by sin. It’s no surprise then that God has high expectations of us.
Yet, I can’t help but linger for a moment on vs 22: “Therefore they enquired of the LORD further, if the man should yet come thither. And the LORD answered, Behold, he hath hid himself among the stuff.” What was Saul doing hiding from what God had chosen and anointed to do? I only need to look as far as the closest mirror to know the answer to that one. Too busy, too tired, too afraid, too whatever. It’s our human nature to hide from God and His work. I see Gen 3 in vs 22 repeating itself. God have mercy!
Well, there’s nothing I can do to change Gen 3. Likewise 1Sam 22 is an event in the past I can do nothing about. But I don’t live in either of those chapters. I live today, and I have control over what I do today. Our great and merciful God has given us His Word and of His Spirit to serve Him with boldness regardless of the task He has set before us. You can be confident that wherever God’s finger points, His hand will make a way. (See Ex 14:15) Our confidence in not in ourselves but in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (See Phil 2:12-13)
Written By SWD Warsaw, Poland, email swdalrosptl@gmail.com
