Growing up in a Baptist home, the son of a cop and the grandson of a German oil refinery worker, I knew all about authority. Mostly I came to know how to respect and submit to it. In our culture, authority is ascribed through various means; position, wealth, title, seniority. It can also come by birth, education, knowledge and experience. However, none of these qualities can guarantee good leadership - just that we may need to submit to someone who ends up in a position of authority over us. How then do we conduct ourselves? The Bible, in 1 Samuel, gives us a good example.
The book of 1 Samuel describes a common picture of royalty and servitude. Specifically, the relationship between King Saul and David, the son of Jessie. Here we see how David, a Shepherd boy, faithfully served King Saul in many different capacities. The Bible tells us that David became so respected, that King Saul became jealous and developed a consuming desire to kill him. In the story, not only did David serve his King well but he did nothing worthy of death nor did he ever lose the perspective of who Saul was. Twice David had the opportunity to kill the King in his sleep but, he never raised his hand against, "God's elect". (1 Samuel 24:6-7, 1 Samuel 26:8-9) He never plotted revenge nor tried to undermine Saul's kingdom. On the contrary, David went out and came back, in the King's name and always sought peace with Saul.
Throughout most of Saul's reign, he made decisions in his own strength and of his own free will, not submitting to the King of Kings. Had Saul listened to the instruction of the prophet Samuel and submitted to the Lordship of his heavenly father, the hand of God would have been with him and his kingdom. (1 Samuel 13:13-14, 1 Samuel 28:17-18) Tragically however, he did not.
How often do we try and do things in our own strength? As Christians we need to remember who is the true authority in our lives and submit to His lordship. My exhortation for you today is to; be still, be in His word, listen for His small voice guiding your heart and mind through your path in this life.
The Truth
"Blessed is the man who delights in the law of the Lord, and in His law, he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whoes leaf will not wither; and whatsoever he does shall prosper." (Psalms 1:1-3)
