The valiant men stripped Saul of his head and armor. I Chronicles 10:8. On a mount separating two unfriendly regions. And Saul's body is hung on the fence. No more breath. I stood there on Mount Gilboa where you can see as far as the eye stretches both east and west. And I so wondered as I stood there what it would have been like to have a father-in-law that wreaked so much havoc on you; and I wondered what it was like to live in those days. Did they struggle with being invisible or independent. Did they try to manage their lives to just make things work. And the words of Saul haunt me---you remember the dancing in the street party where the women sang to Saul and he contemplated: "They have ascribed unto David ten thousands but to me they have ascribed thousands." I Sam 18:6-9. From that day and forward to his very death, Saul never dealt with what really went on in his own soul. May I deal this day with these misgivings that plague me. I struggle with everyone having a place, a space, an ace in the hold. Things are not that tidy for me. May we be a people known for surrender. May I repent of anything that is not dependence on my Lord.
#genealogies
COME BOLDLY: Timeless Prayers
I wrestle today, my LORD, with this mantra of Saul. He wanted to be somebody better and greater than David. Father, help me to put on the full armor of God not just a shiny armor of protection. Clothe me in this chink that I may learn to think better than this. Thank you for detaching us from anything that makes us want to look for credit and praise for ourselves.
PHOTO: Reminds me of Mount Gilboa where you could see forever. Something contemplative about miles and miles. Something going on in my heart where I feel invisible and have found Something far better and I was looking for the wrong thing.
Thus Saul died; he and his three sons and all his house died together. And when all the men of Israel who were in the valley saw that the army had fled and that Saul and his sons were dead, they abandoned their cities and fled, and the Philistines came and lived in them...
ReplyDeleteSuch a sad passage, Saul never seemed to understand he was to serve Jehovah, not himself. The ripple effects brought an end to his family line and ultimately brought about the Israelites fleeing, and the Philistines coming into live in Israel. In a spiritual sense, when I do not take soul matters to God and deal with them, I open the door to let the Philistines reside.
So beautifully said. So tragically sad. So joltingly convicting. Thank you!
Delete1 Chronicles 10:13: " So Saul died for his breach of faith. He broke faith with the Lord in that he did not keep the command of the Lord, and also consulted a medium, seeking guidance. 14 He did not seek guidance from the Lord. Therefore the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse."
ReplyDeleteI think these verses are the saddest. Saul lost everything because he lost his faith in the God who brought him the world. What a poignant reminder to stay faithful and quit looking around corners to see what God is about to do in my life. Stay focused and look up, He will lead me where I need to go.
Just a couple of days ago, I was really upset about things happening in my life, decisions that need to be made, and worries about day to day problems, that are really big ones.
Yesterday, things changed. The problems are still there, but the focus changed when I received a text that my daughter was in labor. We dropped everything and drove 90 miles to the hospital to welcome our new grandson into the family. What a blessing to hold a new life, part of us, and to rejoice in his safe arrival. Who can worry about the past when your holding the future in your arms? Praise be to God for his abundant gifts.
Oh! I saw you holding that baby and went crazy! So thrilled for you beyond words! Enjoy the Beautiful God Who is hovering over all.
DeleteWhat joy, Jan. So happy for you
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