Friday, January 7, 2011

Bad Pits

1 Samuel 13:1-14
               
My title seems amusing but not to an Israelite soldier in today’s chapter. Their king provoked the Philistines by attacking its outpost, probably betraying a peace treaty, and now an army with three thousand chariots and soldiers as numerous as the sand are being assembled, ready to fight. With only three thousand foot soldiers with him, no wonder Saul’s men quaked in fear and soon scattered, hid in caves, cisterns, rocks, and yes, pits. Some of them even crossed Jordan river. But we wonder, where were the three hundred thirty thousand men who were with Saul against the Ammonites in chapter 11? What was on his mind that he only chose three thousand men to stay with him and the rest he sent back to their tents? I’m sure they were far from being delighted (and prepared) to be summoned back at a trumpet’s blow to fight a battle he called after the disband. Seeing his men disheartened and a lot missing, he took the liberty to start a ceremony thinking it could unite his men and revive their spirits. Maybe he thought his office is higher than that of a priest, and with Samuel missing in action, he had the excuse of offering the burnt offering himself. Unlike the man after God’s own heart whose kingdom will be established for all time, Saul never showed any repentance for his disobedience nor sought his rebuker’s wisdom on what to do next. Samuel left him for Gilgal and he was left alone with six hundred men facing a close to impossible combat.  Without his mentor and his God, now that’s a bad pit!


Application:

Years ago, a godly man whom we all look up to in Windsong gave his devotion on this chapter and focused on Samuel’s not coming in on time and in a way, causing Saul to fall. I have never regarded tardiness as sin prior that morning. I knew it was irritating and offensive, but since it’s oftentimes excusable, why not just let it go. But coming promptly to a set schedule is honoring your word, respecting other people and it is good stewardship. Practically, it keeps everyone from the unnecessary stress and from any temptation to give a lie, either as alibi or that fake OK smile. Since then, coming on time for us requires coming before time. Of course we faltered here and there, but we made it a point to ask the forgiveness of every one in the room and had to painstakingly admit the behind-the-scene reason, like watching a late night movie for oversleeping and so catching the heavy traffic. It looks tedious but a needed discipline. Tardiness may appear to be a shallow pit, but ey, it’s still a pit. Move out!
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Bad Pits

1 Samuel 13:1-14
               
My title seems amusing but not to an Israelite soldier in today’s chapter. Their king provoked the Philistines by attacking its outpost, probably betraying a peace treaty, and now an army with three thousand chariots and soldiers as numerous as the sand are being assembled, ready to fight. With only three thousand foot soldiers with him, no wonder Saul’s men quaked in fear and soon scattered, hid in caves, cisterns, rocks, and yes, pits. Some of them even crossed Jordan river. But we wonder, where were the three hundred thirty thousand men who were with Saul against the Ammonites in chapter 11? What was on his mind that he only chose three thousand men to stay with him and the rest he sent back to their tents? I’m sure they were far from being delighted (and prepared) to be summoned back at a trumpet’s blow to fight a battle he called after the disband. Seeing his men disheartened and a lot missing, he took the liberty to start a ceremony thinking it could unite his men and revive their spirits. Maybe he thought his office is higher than that of a priest, and with Samuel missing in action, he had the excuse of offering the burnt offering himself. Unlike the man after God’s own heart whose kingdom will be established for all time, Saul never showed any repentance for his disobedience nor sought his rebuker’s wisdom on what to do next. Samuel left him for Gilgal and he was left alone with six hundred men facing a close to impossible combat.  Without his mentor and his God, now that’s a bad pit!


Application:

Years ago, a godly man whom we all look up to in Windsong gave his devotion on this chapter and focused on Samuel’s not coming in on time and in a way, causing Saul to fall. I have never regarded tardiness as sin prior that morning. I knew it was irritating and offensive, but since it’s oftentimes excusable, why not just let it go. But coming promptly to a set schedule is honoring your word, respecting other people and it is good stewardship. Practically, it keeps everyone from the unnecessary stress and from any temptation to give a lie, either as alibi or that fake OK smile. Since then, coming on time for us requires coming before time. Of course we faltered here and there, but we made it a point to ask the forgiveness of every one in the room and had to painstakingly admit the behind-the-scene reason, like watching a late night movie for oversleeping and so catching the heavy traffic. It looks tedious but a needed discipline. Tardiness may appear to be a shallow pit, but ey, it’s still a pit. Move out!