Scripture

Our verse for today comes from 1 Samuel 11:13, ” But Saul said, ‘Not a man shall be put to death this day, for today the Lord has accomplished salvation in Israel.’ ” 

Background

Are there four less productive words than ” I told you so? ” Can you think of any situation where the most appropriate, mature, professional, kind, or motivating response would be to utter that expression? I can’t. When a mistake has been made, does any possible lesson to be learned get enhanced by hearing that? When one is in the process of training, teaching or mentoring another, does the pupil gain any respect for his teacher by hearing him pat himself on his back? But people love to say it. In fact, many times we grant permission in anticipation of receiving the scolding. So when one falls victim, so to speak, to another’s rearview-mirror wisdom, often they will shrug and say, ” I know, go ahead and say it. ” In any setting, this exchange does nothing to enhance unity and equality. But when it involves a believer, the disconnect between the sentiment of that expression and the One whom we follow is so much more drastic. Were we the perfect Son of God, then we might be inclined to justifiably correct others for not heeding our words and understanding our actions. Jesus took several opportunities to remind His listeners that all that He had said and done earlier pointed to the truths that they were choosing to learn, or not learn, the hard way. But we have no such status. Our path is littered with the debris of our pride and the ensuing falls that came. And adding another ” I told you so ” only makes the pile that much bigger. 

Application

Saul must have known that. When he was announced as Israel’s first king, there were some who ” despised him, and brought him no presents. ” But he didn’t react. And even more impressively, after his hugely successful first battle, he didn’t take the bait offered to him to destroy those naysayers, choosing rather to celebrate the victory God had given the people. He knew enough to not undo what he had done by tooting his own horn. That’s not popular, nor is it easy. But it’s wise. And we know where all wisdom comes from. 

Charge

As we seek Him today, take a moment to think before you speak. And accept the possibility that saying nothing might be the wisest choice.

Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words