[One-Verse Meditation]

1 Samuel 11:12-13 (NIV) “The people said to Samuel, ‘Who was it that asked, “Shall Saul reign over us?” Bring these men to us and we will put them to death.’ But Saul said, ‘No one will be put to death today, for this day the LORD has worked salvation in Israel.'”

[Meditation]

The people of Jabesh-Gilead, on the eastern frontier, were helpless before the threat of the Ammonites. In their eyes, they could see the menacing Ammonite army, but not the LORD who protects them. This news reaches Saul as he was plowing, and the Spirit of God comes upon him in power. He summons Israel, routs the Ammonites, and saves the people.

After the great victory, a bloodthirsty cry erupts in the victorious camp of Israel. “Who was it that asked, ‘Shall Saul reign over us?’ Bring these men to us and we will put them to death!” They had once again forgotten the source of their great victory. In their eyes, there was no longer the LORD, but only the ‘perfect king’ Saul, who now held unchallengeable power. They sought to make a blood oath of loyalty to a human king.

The people of Jabesh who trembled in fear, and the Israelite soldiers who now turned their victorious swords toward their own kin—all of them were the same. They despaired at what they could see, became proud by what they could see, and sought to condemn others by what they could see. Right in the midst of that cry for vengeance, the great proclamation of today’s text rings out: “No one will be put to death today, for this day the LORD has worked salvation in Israel!”

This declaration came through Saul’s mouth, but it did not come from his own character. It was the ‘Spirit of God’ who seized him and showed His own likeness. God ‘used’ Saul to stop the human feast of vengeance and glory, and to proclaim that salvation lies not in the hands of man, but in His sovereignty.

This scene makes us examine ourselves today. It makes us see the ‘me’ who is no different from ‘you.’ In this way, it makes us surrender with both hands up before the God who saved ‘us.’ This is worship. It is to rejoice and be glad in God together.

[Prayer]

Lord, keep me from stumbling over what is seen, and let me walk seeing the unseen kingdom of God. As I experience the salvation You have accomplished day by day, let today be a day I praise you with a new song. Amen.
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[Daily Meditation]

1 Samuel 11:1-15