A Reluctant Hero
Thursday (January 8)
A Reluctant Hero
1 Samuel 10:21-23
He brought the tribe of Benjamin near by its clans, and the clan of the Matrites was taken by lot; and Saul the son of Kish was taken by lot. But when they sought him, he could not be found. So they inquired again of the LORD, “Is there a man still to come?” and the LORD said, “Behold, he has hidden himself among the baggage.” Then they ran and took him from there.
Perhaps your initial instinct, like mine, when reading that Saul has hidden himself in the luggage, is to roll your eyes and say, “Aha, see—Saul never had what it took to be a leader,” and perhaps that assessment isn’t entirely unfounded. But let’s be a bit more sympathetic, friend. Where would you be if God’s prophet all of a sudden placed you in charge of an entire nation? What if an angel of the LORD came to you during the 2028 election campaign cycle and said, “Get up, I’m making you president of the United States”? You might desire the limelight and prestige, but do you really want the position? Do you want all of your opinions and stances to be criticized and fought over every day? Do you want to live under the constant blanket of a security detail, knowing that countless people wish you and your family harm? Is the hope of being admired by half the country worth being hated and vilified by the other half? The honest truth is that I’d probably be hiding in the luggage bin with Saul, hoping God would pass me over and find someone more qualified. No, wait—forget the baggage cart; I’d be with Jonah sailing as far as the east is from the west!
Where were those eleven disciples immediately following Christ’s crucifixion? They were hiding out in a dark room, fearful of what came next. Where was Moses when God spoke to him through a burning bush and commissioned him to deliver the Israelites from Egypt? He was flipping through his catalog of excuses, trying everything he could to shoo God away. That’s why I’m deeply encouraged that the LORD goes after Saul here and once again places a regal crown on the head of someone who doesn’t feel worthy of it.
It’s as my late grandfather used to say: “God doesn’t call qualified men; He calls ordinary men and then qualifies them.”