Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 8; 1 Samuel 9; 1 Samuel 10; 2 Corinthians 10
Scripture: 1 Samuel 10:26-27; 2 Corinthians 10:7-8, 12
1 Samuel 10:26 Saul also went to his home in Gibeah, accompanied by valiant men whose hearts God had touched. 27 But some troublemakers said, "How can this fellow save us?" They despised him and brought him no gifts. But Saul kept silent.
2 Corinthians 10:7 You are looking only on the surface of things. If anyone is confident that he belongs to Christ, he should consider again that we belong to Christ just as much as he. 8 For even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than pulling you down, I will not be ashamed of it... 12 We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise...
Observation: In both of these passages we see leadership that causes a response. In the passage from 1 Samuel, Saul has just been anointed king and there are two kinds of men described. The first is "valiant men whose hearts God had touched" and the second, "troublemakers" -- and, based on their character (valiant men or troublemakers), they have different responses. The valiant men get a touch from God and follow Saul, willing to relocate to do so. The troublemakers critically and cynically question Saul's authority and, with others (implied by the text), despise him and refuse to acknowledge and honor Saul as king.
In the passage from 2 Corinthians, Paul is the leader to whom there are different responses. There are those who willingly follow Paul (implied by the context), and those who criticize and question his authority, having challenged his right to exert authority over the Corinthian church. These critical people rely on comparisons, using their own opinions as a standard of judgment, comparing Paul and themselves to each other. They have found things in Paul that they believe to be deficient and thus they reject his authority. Apparently, they do not like the fact that Paul presumes to act as if he has a role in their maturation process by speaking to them with rebukes, corrections, and direction. They don't want Paul telling them what to do or how to live, and they feel as though he is tearing them down. Paul asserts that indeed he does have a legitimate role in directing their lives, but it is to build them up, not to tear them down -- to help anyone who is willing. But because they have a critical spirit, they don't get it. Paul tells them that they are "only looking on the surface of things." And he refuses to join into their foolish comparisons.
Application: Each of us sets his own path in responding to authority. Some people reject authority because of flaws in the people exercising authority. But all human authority that God establishes is flawed, and God expects us to follow it just the same. We are to submit to authority in the same way we submit to God himself. And the way we respond to authority, with submission or rejection, willing cooperation or critical challenge, is a reflection of the character of our lives: the valiant person follows (not blindly but willingly and fully engaged) and the troublemaker criticizes and rejects (and gets others to join in their group).
Prayer: Lord, I want to be a valiant man, not seeking my own way but willingly and happily responding to the human authority you have placed in my life. May I submit to authority in such a way that you are pleased with me and that those over me may be aware of my love and support for them.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: 1 Samuel 10:26-27; 2 Corinthians 10:7-8, 12
1 Samuel 10:26 Saul also went to his home in Gibeah, accompanied by valiant men whose hearts God had touched. 27 But some troublemakers said, "How can this fellow save us?" They despised him and brought him no gifts. But Saul kept silent.
2 Corinthians 10:7 You are looking only on the surface of things. If anyone is confident that he belongs to Christ, he should consider again that we belong to Christ just as much as he. 8 For even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than pulling you down, I will not be ashamed of it... 12 We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise...
Observation: In both of these passages we see leadership that causes a response. In the passage from 1 Samuel, Saul has just been anointed king and there are two kinds of men described. The first is "valiant men whose hearts God had touched" and the second, "troublemakers" -- and, based on their character (valiant men or troublemakers), they have different responses. The valiant men get a touch from God and follow Saul, willing to relocate to do so. The troublemakers critically and cynically question Saul's authority and, with others (implied by the text), despise him and refuse to acknowledge and honor Saul as king.
In the passage from 2 Corinthians, Paul is the leader to whom there are different responses. There are those who willingly follow Paul (implied by the context), and those who criticize and question his authority, having challenged his right to exert authority over the Corinthian church. These critical people rely on comparisons, using their own opinions as a standard of judgment, comparing Paul and themselves to each other. They have found things in Paul that they believe to be deficient and thus they reject his authority. Apparently, they do not like the fact that Paul presumes to act as if he has a role in their maturation process by speaking to them with rebukes, corrections, and direction. They don't want Paul telling them what to do or how to live, and they feel as though he is tearing them down. Paul asserts that indeed he does have a legitimate role in directing their lives, but it is to build them up, not to tear them down -- to help anyone who is willing. But because they have a critical spirit, they don't get it. Paul tells them that they are "only looking on the surface of things." And he refuses to join into their foolish comparisons.
Application: Each of us sets his own path in responding to authority. Some people reject authority because of flaws in the people exercising authority. But all human authority that God establishes is flawed, and God expects us to follow it just the same. We are to submit to authority in the same way we submit to God himself. And the way we respond to authority, with submission or rejection, willing cooperation or critical challenge, is a reflection of the character of our lives: the valiant person follows (not blindly but willingly and fully engaged) and the troublemaker criticizes and rejects (and gets others to join in their group).
Prayer: Lord, I want to be a valiant man, not seeking my own way but willingly and happily responding to the human authority you have placed in my life. May I submit to authority in such a way that you are pleased with me and that those over me may be aware of my love and support for them.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
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