Coming Out of the Supply Room

1 Samuel 10:22

²² So they inquired further of the LORD, “Has the man come here yet?” And the LORD said, “Yes, he has hidden himself among the supplies.”

Observation:

            Against Samuels desires the people have requested a King, just like all the nations around them. This disturbs Samuel but God reminds him that the people are rejecting God, not Samuel. God then leads Saul, a Benjamite, on a journey looking for donkeys. Saul’s journey leads him to Samuel and the declaration that he would become Israel’s first king.

            Samuel sends Saul home and tells him of the events that will take place on his journey. These include the receiving of bread, and prophesying with three prophets. The Scripture tells us that the Spirit of God was on Saul. Which leads us to wonder why was Saul hiding in the supplies?

            This is a common theme in the Old Testament, We see Moses trying to make excuses as to why he cannot do what God asks. Gideon (who hides in a winepress to thresh wheat fears the Midianites) keeps saying ‘But’ to God. The Israelites frequently doubt and fear the call of God in their lives. Saul is no different. Saul set the tone for his reign. He is a cowered who thinks mainly of himself. Nevertheless, God has chosen to make him the first King of Israel.

Application:

            From the time I was very little I have had an extreme fear of heights. I still remember when I was four or five when my dad set me on top of the refrigerator. I freaked out, screaming and crying. I am certain he did not know that would be my reaction. It did not matter that my dad was right in front of me. It did not matter that he was taller than the refrigerator. My fear of heights was greater than what I “knew” about my father.

            It is our human nature to base our actions on our own thinking about what we perceive, even when we have promises from God that he is with us. Dr. David Busic, explains that “…the way we live is a direct result of the size of our God”.¹ For Israel and Saul, they did not recognize the enormity of their God. Even though they witnessed his immense power, even though the nations surrounding them fear their God, their own fears and perceptions made God small.

            It would be easy to point the finger at Israel and ridicule them, but for many Christian’s today we are still doing the same thing. We are trusting in an earthly kings to meet our needs (America, Freedom, Government, etc.). When God calls his people to go and make disciples we might hide in the supply shed, (Church building, home, etc.). We see ourselves as too small, too weak, too ill equipped, or out numbered. Like Saul, we try to hide from the task. Even though we have seen the power of God, it does not matter, because our God becomes small and ultimately our thoughts about the situation are bigger than him.

Prayer:

            Father, You are Creator of the heavens and the earth. You are Sovereign above all things. You are a strong tower; you are our strength and our refuge. You go before me, and behind me. You will not fail. I am nothing, yet you are mindful of me. I have nothing of value yet you call me. In you, I will trust. Forgive me Lord for making you small in my life. When I fear, strengthen me. When I cannot see what is ahead, show your faithfulness in the past. Use me to do your will. - Amen