Snared by the Fear of Man
- jacarroll71
- Mar 31, 2013
- 1 min read
Today’s reading: 1 Samuel 15:1-16:23
My selection: I Samuel 15:24
Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice.
My reflections: Saul’s earlier disobedience to God had resulted in Samuel prophesying that Saul’s son would not inherit his father’s throne. There would be no dynasty for Saul. But Saul continued as king and had an opportunity to at least redeem himself. Again he failed to carry out specific instructions. He rationalized and spun the incident to downplay his disobedience but finally made the above statement to Samuel.
Saul’s actions here are a perfect example of Proverbs 29:25: ” The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.” Samuel tells him, that not only his dynasty will end but, that his reign is over.
A leader who fears his people more than he fears God is hamstrung. He will not do the right thing. He will abdicate his responsibility and bring down judgment on himself and others.
My challenge: Do you fear God more than Man? Do you seek God’s approval even if the whole world should call you a fool? Are you prepared to suffer the consequences of pleasing Him while displeasing others?
Seek to please God. Fear, not Man whose power does not extend past the doors of death but, God. Only His opinion of you matters.
Tomorrow’s reading: 1 Samuel 17:1-18:30
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