Then Saul fell at once full length on the ground, filled with fear because of the words of Samuel. And there was no strength in him, for he had eaten nothing all day and all night. And the woman came to Saul, and when she saw that he was terrified, she said to him, “Behold, your servant has obeyed you. I have taken my life in my hand and have listened to what you have said to me. Now therefore, you also obey your servant. Let me set a morsel of bread before you; and eat, that you may have strength when you go on your way.” He refused and said, “I will not eat.” But his servants, together with the woman, urged him, and he listened to their words. So he arose from the earth and sat on the bed. Now the woman had a fattened calf in the house, and she quickly killed it, and she took flour and kneaded it and baked unleavened bread of it, and she put it before Saul and his servants, and they ate. Then they rose and went away that night.
(1 Samuel 28:20-25 ESV)
Saul had struggled with fear for some time, causing indecisiveness in leadership, impulsiveness in his reactions to David and others, and an inability to accept his own responsibility for the consequences of his life actions. Now fear hits full force. He falls to the ground, immobilized with fear, and with no desire to eat or live. He does not want to complete the rest of his role on this earth. But that is not an option. One way or another, the Philistines will win the battle and he will lose his life. Will it be with courage, or a final loss to fear? Whatever our past, the rest of the story starts here, with our response to the challenges and fears of life. Get up. Eat. Take courage. Face the day. Don't even think of trying to leave God out of the picture.
No comments:
Post a Comment