God is in the grieving on our hearts – July 12
Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 119:1-24; PM Psalm 12, 13, 14
1 Samuel 16:1-13; Acts 10:1-16; Luke 24:12-35
The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul?” (1 Samuel 16:1) That direct and holy question grabbed me this morning. God is in the grieving on our hearts.
In this text appointed for today, Samuel the prophet is heartbroken that King Saul has disobeyed God’s command. To fully follow the story, let’s go back one chapter. As 1 Samuel 15 tells it, the LORD said to Saul through Samuel: “I will punish the Amalekites for what they did in opposing the Israelites when they came up out of Egypt. Now go and attack Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have; do not spare them, but kill both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.” (v. 2-3). Saul plotted an attack, and with his troops they swiftly defeated the Amalekites. However, he spared the king and they salvaged the best of the livestock and all the other valuable things.
When Samuel met up with King Saul the next morning, Saul said to him, “May you be blessed by the LORD; I have carried out the command of the LORD.” In the background, Samuel heard commotion – the pastoral sounds of bleating sheep and lowing cattle – and asked Saul. Only then did the king divulge what Samuel already knew from God, that his people saved the most worthwhile livestock from the Amalekites and planned to sacrifice them to God.
Whether he bought Saul’s story or not, Samuel offered a poetic retort of wisdom, “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt-offering and sacrifices, as in obedience to the voice of the LORD? Surely, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is no less a sin than divination, and stubbornness is like iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has also rejected you from being king.”
Contrite, Saul tried to explain and defend himself. “I have sinned; for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice.” Samuel knew that he must part ways with him, for Saul chose to bend to the people, rather than to stand up with and for God.
God anointed Saul through Samuel’s hands to be king over Israel. Samuel rooted for Saul and prayed for him. And then, when disappointment came, it was Samuel who brought closure to the saga at the end of chapter 15. While Saul spared the Amalekite king, Samuel followed God’s direction and “hewed Agag in pieces before the LORD in Gilgal.” (v. 33)
Samuel grieved. He grieved the loss of promise in king over Israel, the loss of life by his own hands, the loss of relationship with Saul. Bitter tears trickled down his cheeks and splashed on the ground. God was with Samuel in the pain and darkness. And God is with us in those moments of utter disappointment and disillusionment.
Perhaps there is a question someone will ask this week that reminds you or me of a space of grieving and loss. Maybe we keep looking back on the brokenness or push against what life today is like in a different paradigm we did not want or choose. There is no quick solution. Samuel knew that. God knows that…even when it is complicated, messy, and maybe feels unspeakable.
It is good for each of us to have someone to talk to about that honest part of our lived experience. With God’s grace, help, and courage, we can find ways to be present for all of today.
May God’s peace be upon you,
Katherine+