October 30 | 1 Samuel 10:24-27

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DAILY READING

1 Samuel 10:24-27

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REFLECTION

Leadership

By Todd Marti

Today’s reading deals with a dynamic we will all be dealing with soon: a change in national leadership. Samuel and the people of Israel were about to change the way they were lead and who they were led by.  The change was not without controversy; other scripture shows Samuel himself had grave doubts about the new approach, and parts of this reading show that the new regime did not enjoy universal support. 1 Samuel 8; 1 Samuel 10: 17-19, 27.  

We are about to go through something similar. In the coming days we will elect a new president. There will be significant changes, regardless of who is elected. The result will not please everyone; many will be happy with the outcome, but many will not.

So, what does Samuel’s response to his circumstances tell us about how to navigate ours? Two things come to mind.

First, we should use our spiritual influence to support whoever is elected. Samuel did so, despite his reservations. 1 Samuel 10:24-24  We should too, albeit in a different way. As discussed more fully elsewhere, scripture repeatedly tells us to pray for those in authority, even—and indeed especially—when those leaders are not ones we would choose. See Praying for Leaders: Why, When, and How and Praying for Leaders: Why, How & About What.  That is not only good for our country, but it also gives us individual peace because when we pray we are spending time with the One who is the source of all peace.

Second, we should not let political differences interfere with other parts of our lives. Samuel effectively told folks to change their focus from the political transition to the things they were called to in their individual lives. 1 Samuel 10:25-26.  We too should make that shift, and resist the temptation to allow political differences to disrupt our family, church family, and other relationships. More than that, we should affirmatively pray for those with different views, something we can start on now, before the election. Nothing good can come of rehashing political disagreements, but much good can come from blessing those we disagree with.

PRAYER

Lord God, give us grace when we allow disagreements to divide us. We thank you that you are ultimately in charge. Be with us now and forever. Amen.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

TODD MARTI

I have been connected to UALC since 2000 in various small groups and as a co-manager of the UALC Community Garden. I’m married to Kelly Marti, and the proud father of Sarah Marti. I am happy to be writing these devotions.

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