Very little can be said of King Saul of Israel that is positive. Even when it came to search for the man who would be the first king of Israel, Saul was found in the stuff. I looked up the Hebrew word that is translated stuff thinking that it would have something profound to teach me. What was interesting is that even in the original Hebrew the word was stuff. The first time we meet this man he set forth an example for all of us for how that our lives can be wrapped up in meaningless, undefinable stuff.
Our text for today shows us that even a king can display a need to be liked. Sometimes we describe that need to teenagers among their peers. We learn in the Scripture that regardless of our age we all have the need to be liked by others. The question is not whether we have the need. It is how much does that need dominate our lives? Instead of comparing himself to the success of David, King Saul would have been wiser to appreciate what was good in his life. Very few people are selected to sit on the throne of a nation while developing a royal agenda that would bring glory to God.
This need was so powerful for Saul that he attempted to murder David. Eventually, he virtually declared war against one of his own people. Unfortunately for the king, Scripture says God’s spirit left him allowing an evil attitude to possess all that he did. The lesson for us is to concentrate more on our relationship with God than with other people. Sometimes our duties can become very heavy to carry. Sometimes our responsibilities are overwhelming.
God places us in particular positions of life to fulfill a mission regardless of the unhappy kickback from people and circumstances. We must stay focused on the personal thrones where God causes us to sit. If people say unflattering words like what was sung by the women in the Scripture, think how much worse it was for Christ. Every job, every position, every opportunity that may seem too hard to deal with is an opportunity to show the world the strength that God gives his children. As in every circumstance, we must stay focused on the Lord and not the things of this world.
The joy that comes from the Holy Spirit can be diluted if we allow the need to be liked by other people that will unhappily affect us. Jesus said that the yoke he places upon us is intentional but lighter than what the devil has to offer. Rejoice that God has complemented you knowing that you can bear up under whatever trial comes your way.
Christian Writer 