Loser
Have you ever backed the wrong horse, supported the wrong guy, continued to believe beyond all hope?
The Lord said to Samuel, ‘How long will you grieve over Saul? I have rejected him from being king over Israel. Fill your horn with oil and set out; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.’ - 1 Samuel 16:1
In today's reading, Samuel realizes the guy he has been backing is not the one God wants.
It has to be a big disappointment. He has to feel a bit foolish, maybe even angry with God and with himself. He might even be angry with Saul for being a loser.
There have been several times in my life when I supported the wrong choice, gave someone a chance when others warned me against it, and each time things went bad, I felt foolish.
In the story, Samuel gives in and follows God's instruction, heading to Bethlehem to find a king among Jesse's sons, and one by one, he brings them before God, only to discover that once again, he has picked the wrong one.
Imagine how he felt.
The lesson appears to be a simple one. The Lord tells Samuel he is focusing on the wrong traits. He is looking for someone big and strong, someone whose appearance says "King" rather than someone whose nature is favored by God.
We could easily draw the conclusion that Samuel is a loser. He tried seven times to find the right person among the sons of Jesse and none of them met God's requirements.
There are two messages here.
On the one hand, Samuel had to give up his old way of thinking. Saul was not the right person. We can tell that immediately when Samuel says he fears for his life if he doesn't pick Saul.
On the other hand, God continues to support Samuel in his mission to find the right person, giving him seven chances and letting him discover for himself that there is another option, one beyond his ability to comprehend, a shepherd boy named David.
So, what have we learned?
I think we need to focus on God first and then stick with the program. Persevere, even when we continue to fail. We are not a loser if we set out to please and follow God in all we do.
It is clear that Samuel chose Saul at first because it was the easy choice, the safe bet. But I believe he knew it was the wrong choice. He knew Saul would kill him if he didn't pick him.
God gives us a free will to choose for ourselves, and with God's help, we will do that wisely.
More to come...
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