Trouble for Us All

Trouble For Us All

Reading: 1 Samuel 14; 1 Chronicles 4; 2 Corinthians 13 “My father has made trouble for us all!” Jonathan exclaimed. “A command like that only hurts us. See how refreshed I am now that I have eaten this little bit of honey.” (1 Samuel 14:29 NLT) Israel’s King Saul was an impulsive man. He was very self-centered, caring more for himself and his reputation than for his nation and his people’s well-being, and he frequently made rash, poorly thought-out declarations. Saul more than once put himself and others at risk due to his paranoia and his emotional outbursts. In this case, before an important battle in which his men needed all their strength, he made them swear an oath they would not eat anything all day, “Until Saul had revenge on his enemies!” His son Jonathan, the hero who won the day, hadn’t heard about the oath and had a little snack during the day to maintain his strength. When Saul discovered that Jonathan had been the one who unknowingly violated Saul’s impulsive curse, he would have killed his own son had the more clear-headed among the troops not intervened to rescue him.

Saul put the army and the mission at risk by his impulsive words, and then would have executed his own son rather than admit his error and release the men from his foolish oath. With authority or influence comes responsibility. More authority and influence brings more responsibility. I must be careful that my words, spoken in whatever frame of mind and state of emotion, don’t bring harm to others. Prayer: Father, Please forgive me for those times I speak in anger, from anxiety, or by impulse. Help me to filter my words with wisdom – to be quick to hear and slow to speak. Protect your people – protect those I love and those I lead and influence from any damage my words might cause. Amen. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. (Psalm 19:14 NLT)