It's About Relationship, Dummy!
1 Samuel 15:24-35
What pops out at you from today's reading?
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
Saul said to Samuel, "I have sinned; for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice. Now therefore, I pray, pardon my sin, and return with me, so that I may worship the Lord." Samuel said to Saul, "I will not return with you; for you have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you from being king over Israel." As Samuel turned to go away, Saul caught hold of the hem of his robe, and it tore. And Samuel said to him, "The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you this very day, and has given it to a neighbor of yours, who is better than you. Moreover the Glory of Israel will not recant or change his mind; for he is not a mortal, that he should change his mind." Then Saul said, "I have sinned; yet honor me now before the elders of my people and before Israel, and return with me, so that I may worship the Lord your God." So Samuel turned back after Saul; and Saul worshiped the Lord. Then Samuel said, "Bring Agag king of the Amalekites here to me." And Agag came to him haltingly. Agag said, "Surely this is the bitterness of death." But Samuel said, "As your sword has made women childless, so your mother shall be childless among women." And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the Lord in Gilgal. Then Samuel went to Ramah; and Saul went up to his house in Gibeah of Saul. Samuel did not see Saul again until the day of his death, but Samuel grieved over Saul. And the Lord was sorry that he had made Saul king over Israel. - 1 Samuel 15:24-35
Samuel says that God does not change His mind.
That is troubling, isn't it? Jesus tells us that God is a forgiving God. Doesn't that mean He will change His mind about us?
In today's reading, Saul pleads with Samuel to come with him as Saul goes to worship the Lord.
Is that for nought? God has taken away his kingdom and given it to another who is more worthy, so what does Saul think praising God will do?
Obviously, Saul is trying to save himself.
We all do that, don't we? When we screw up, don't we try to make amends?
This reminds me of a man who abuses his wife and then apologizes with tears afterward, hoping she will not leave him. The damage is done. Their relationship will never be the same.
Is that how it is with God?
Perhaps if we consider that outcome, we will be less inclined to act independently. Yes, Jesus said the Father will forgive, but what about the relationship we have with the Father?
Imagine meeting God after this life is ended, and God says, "I remember you. You cannot be trusted."
More to come...