Scripture

Our verse for today comes from 1 Chronicles 10:4, “Then Saul said to his armorbearer, ‘Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised men come and mistreat me.’ But his armorbearer would not, for he was greatly afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword and fell on it.”

Background

An acquaintance of mine recently quit her job. She had been home from work on maternity leave after having her first child, but after she returned to her office, she was having a difficult time engaging in her work and focusing on the tasks at hand. She struggled with the feelings of sadness from missing her baby and guilt over losing time with her child that she would never be able to get back. So, she and her husband made the decision for her to stay home with their child. After prayer and discussion, they decided to do what seems natural to some, and quite impossible to others. This new mom, this woman who had worked her entire life, was throwing that all away to start a new life as a stay-at-home mother. For some of you, that idea might sound as appealing as Saul’s choice to kill himself with a sword. You cannot imagine spending your entire day home with an infant or toddler. Perhaps your financial choices have made it seem impossible, or you are certain that you weren’t cut out for that, or your career is too satisfying and meaningful to give up.

Application

Or maybe it’s not staying at home, but some other decision that seems impossible to you. And so, like Saul, rather than take the risk of what might happen, you run the dream through with a sword. Rather than trusting God with how things might end, you kill it off before it ever begins. My friend could have done that with her longing to be with her child. Their finances will be tough, and she will miss contributing to her company and associating with her peers. But she will be around to see what God will do with her decision. Saul’s armorbearer watched him kill himself, and all he could do was take his own life as well. The faith or fear of one person can deeply affect the future of another. You might be wrestling with, or even trying to fight off, a big decision in your life. If so, remember the sword. And don’t let it rob you of your trust in the Lord. Don’t live your life as if your faith died on the battlefield.

Charge

As we seek Him today, consider what steps of faith that God has been asking you to take. Re-examine your trust in Him, and confess where you succumbed to the sword.

Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words