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Off With a Bang

For all the bad things you’ve probably heard about Saul, Israel’s first king (and there are plenty), he actually started off with great gusto.

Almost immediately after he was identified and anointed, he was given an opportunity to be the king Israel wanted—a deliverer from her enemies.

The Israelite town of Jabesh Gilead was in trouble and needed rescue. Saul called all of Israel together and came to their aid. Now, there is a lot of backstory to this (see Judges 20-21 for more), but there’s at least one connection we need to see in this story.

Remember how God empowered all the leaders in the Book of Judges to deliver Israel from her enemies? That same formula of calling happens here with King Saul. The Holy Spirit comes upon him and makes him bold. We, as readers, are meant to make the connection between the time of the judges and this new time of the kings.

Despite Israel’s request to have a king like the nations around them, a figurehead who could go with them into battle and around whom they could rally, we see that it is still God who empowers them to deliver.

In this opening action of King Saul, his first act as the first sovereign of Israel, we see that God is still in control. He is still working on His people’s behalf. And they, even the best of them, can do nothing without God's aid and power.

Men, do you need to be reminded of this? I do. All of Saul’s fervor and drive to act and be the hero was nothing without the power and presence of God. The same is true for you and me. We can start with the best of intentions and even be on the right track, but on our own and steered by our own impulses (we’ll explore that tomorrow), we will quickly find ourselves floundering.

Reliance on God can never be overestimated or underused.

Prayer: Father God, thank You that even in our moments of going our own way, You never leave us. Help me to patiently wait on Your power to guide me in the moments of my life. Amen.

Reflection: Where might you have forged ahead of God? How can you remember that whatever God calls you to, He will provide what is necessary to accomplish?