Re:Verse reading–1 Samuel 15 (day three)
“I was afraid of the people and so I gave in to them.”
It takes Saul three iterations of the narrative for him to speak the truth. First, Saul does his best to convince himself that the plunder is purely for noble purposes. Second, Saul attempts to redirect: The main thing got done, didn’t it? Finally, Saul arrives at the real story: “I acted out of fear.” Herein lies the reign-defining difference between David and Saul. David says, “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.” Saul says, “What time I am afraid, I will do fear’s bidding.” It is not a sin to be afraid. It is a sin to serve fear as one’s master. Of course you’re afraid. But what are you going to do from that point?
I could not agree more, “It is a sin to serve fear as one’s master.” God is our spiritual teacher and master, not fear.
When we let fear drive our decision-making, little by little, we become more reactive and less proactive. When we seek God’s guidance through the Scriptures in making decision, we can feel confident that the decision we make will be based on Godly principles, consistent standards and morally and ethically accepted.
Peace will achieve when we turn to God for making decisions, not making decisions as a reaction to fear! We should be afraid of God, not people. Fear God, not people.