Allowing the children to mature

So they ran and brought Saul out to the people, and they could see that he was a head taller than anyone else. Samuel said to the people, ‘Here is the man the LORD has chosen! There is no one else among us like him.’ All the people shouted, ‘Long live the king!’ Samuel explained to the people the rights and duties of a king, and then wrote them in a book, which he deposited in a holy place. Then he sent everyone home. (verses 23-25)

Read 1 Samuel 10:17–27

‘Long live the king!’ the people shout as the reluctant Saul is sworn in as God’s chosen before all Israel. Their long-held wish had finally, even if reluctantly, been brought into existence by the Lord.

Why does God create something for his people that he himself is reluctant about? Could it be that he does it out of love for them? It seems that God is like a parent who supports his maturing child’s decision to undertake a venture that in all probability will either come to nothing or even create some grief for his child.

Like parents who love their children by allowing them to make mistakes and so learn new skills, new faithfulness and wisdom in the school of hard knocks, God, in his deep love and commitment, is willing to support us, his children, through our big plans and ventures.

Heavenly Father, give me wisdom in choosing the ventures I undertake, and teach me your ways in all I do at work, at home and in all of life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

by Adrian Kitson, in ‘Renewed Hope for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2000)

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