Today’s Scripture Reading (December 30,
2012): 1 Samuel 29
At a
memorial service for the tragedies that occurred on September 11, 2001, a
pastor stood uneasily on a stage. He had been asked to come and pray for the
victims and the nation. It was a task that he desperately wanted to undertake.
But he had a problem. He understood that his allegiance could not be divided.
And in a day when patriotism in the United States was at a peak, it was common
to pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States. But this pastor felt
that his allegiance was not to a flag – it was to God – and therefore he could
not take the pledge of allegiance. His refusal to take the pledge in no way
impacted how loyal he was to his nation. It was not an indication of his
willingness to betray his country. It was all about his absolute dependence and
loyalty to his God. Whether or not those that watched understood, this was the
way that it had to be.
People are
always a little uncomfortable with people of strong convictions because they
are not easily swayed. David was living in Philistine territory, but he
remained a believer in the God of Israel. And even though he had been loyal to
the Philistine people as long as he lived within their borders, ultimately
David was not theirs – and his allegiance could never be. And so David was
rejected. He may have been a help to them, but in the opinion of the Philistine
rulers, he just could not be trusted.
However, the
reality was more likely to be the reverse. There is a strong loyalty that is
born out of an allegiance to God. And when we honestly recognize where our allegiance
really lies, our loyalty is increased. The result is that we can be depended on
– because we know that our lives are being lived out not just for a impersonal
flag or nation – but rather for a supernatural audience of one.
Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: 1
Samuel 30
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