Isn't interesting in today's reading that when the Prophet Samuel is ready to publicly anoint Saul as king that Saul hides! He wasn't hiding in a field of flowers, he was hiding in the supplies and luggage. He obviously was not real excited about this new commission. In yesterday's reading, we find his reaction when the Prophet Samuel first told him of his calling:
"And Saul answered and said, 'Am I not a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel, and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then do you speak like this to me?' ” (1 Sam. 9:21)
Obviously, Saul did not feel himself qualified to become Israel's first king. "Who am I that you would ask me, who am I to take such a great task?"
If Saul had kept this spirit of humility throughout his life, he might have kept the kingdom. But with honor, with elevation, with prestige too often follows self-confidence, pride, and we begin to stop looking at God and trust ourselves. And that's what very soon happened to Saul.
Dear Lord, may we stay humble, no matter where You take us or how You use us, may we always recognize that there is nothing within us that is worthy, nothing within us that can take honor, nothing within us that qualifies us to serve. Not unto us O Lord, not unto us, but unto Your Name give glory. May we still little in our eyes, but may Your strength be made perfect even in our weakness!
Tomorrow's Reading: 1 Sam. 12-13 and Mark 12
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