The people of Israel wanted security and stability. They were afraid of being different from all the surrounding nations, forced, as they were, to rely on Someone they couldn’t see. Unfortunately, they allowed their fear to prompt a terrible decision, one that produced even higher levels of instability and insecurity.
This is almost always what happens when we make decisions based on fear and anxiety. We end up setting in motion a chain of events that increases the odds of our worst fears becoming reality. Anxiety makes us do foolish things that get us into trouble.
In this case (as in many others), an insecure people selected an insecure leader. At some level, Saul must have known that he got the job because of his looks. Perhaps he wondered if the people would actually accept him if they knew what he was really like. Insecurity usually breeds further insecurity, and at least on some level, Saul’s life became about keeping up appearances.
An appearance-based economy will always drive people to duplicity. Saul’s insecurity led him first to compromise, then to disobedience. Eventually, Saul decided to redefine obedience, and in doing so, he became rebellious. Now, disobedience is bad, but rebellion is even worse. God says it’s like witchcraft (see 1 Sam 15.23).
It all began when the people of God let their anxiety get the best of them. They began making decisions based on fear, telling God, in effect, that they knew better than He what was in their best interest. In the final analysis, then, most of our sinful behaviour can be traced back to a lack of trust in God’s ability and/or desire to have our best interests at heart. If we could only calm our anxiety, trust in God and do what He says, we’d save ourselves lots of trouble.
I should probably add a word about what to do when you blow it because, you know, most of us will blow it at some point in time.
We serve a God who allows us to make decisions, real decisions. He refuses to manipulate us. He’s no puppet master, pulling our strings and forcing us to do His bidding. It’s important to remember, however, that real decisions, which bring about real consequences, never dissolve our relationship with YHWH. He is always waiting for His people to come to their senses and return to Him.
God wants obedience, even when what He’s asking of us seems counter-intuitive. For reasons that are difficult to understand, let alone explain, God allows us to disobey him.
Perhaps you have made some terrible choices, and perhaps you are suffering from the consequences of those terrible choices. Know this, no decision, no matter how terrible it may be, will ever put you beyond the reach of God’s grace. You can come back to Him right now. Or you can just say thanks for the last time He took you back.
I’ll leave you two alone now.
Living God, may I never place my security in people or performance, but only in Your character and promises. Deliver me from the plague of insecurity and anxiety that can cripple me and erode my faith in You. I want to be increasingly defined by Your truth and not by the lies of a fleeting and broken world. May I be Your person, even in times of trouble and stress, knowing that from You and through You and to You are all things. Grant that as I cast all my anxiety on You, I will experience Your peace and make choices that are honouring to You, instead of foolish decisions that spring from fear and disbelief. Thank You for the grace of forgiveness when I do things that are displeasing to You. I am grateful that there is no sin that is so great that it would prevent You from welcoming me back when I come to my senses and return to You.
In Jesus’s name, Amen
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