Today's Scripture Reading (June 12, 2025): 1 Samuel 26
Many years ago, I received an
emergency call on a Sunday night. Back then, there were two distinct services
every Sunday: two copies of the same service in the morning and a completely
unique service in the evening. I received the call just as the Sunday evening
experience drew to a close. Some key people in the congregation needed my help
at their daughter's home as soon as I could get there. I remember it clearly,
partially because it was my birthday, and I knew my wife had hoped for some
family time after the evening service.
I told my wife I had been
called out and, being a good Pastor's wife, she accepted the reality that the
evening was not going to be what we had hoped, and I went to my car with a
promise to let her know what was going on as soon as I could.
What happened next was an extremely
unusual experience. I arrived at the daughter's home with most of the family
present. And inside, the daughter was experiencing, at best, a mental breakdown
or, at worst, was possessed by an evil spirit. I admit, theologically, I
acknowledge the reality of possession; however, it is not something with which
I have a lot of experience.
The daughter seemed to be
bouncing between moments of semi-lucidity and utter madness. Sometimes, she was
quiet, but at other times she was violent. Sometimes, she made sense; in other moments,
it was like speaking a different language. I was trying to make my assessment
and found myself bouncing around several possibilities. However, one thing I
was sure of was that we needed to make a trip to the local emergency
department. I convinced the family of this course of action and loaded mom and
daughter in the back of my car while I climbed into the driver's seat.
On the way to the hospital, I
conversed with the daughter. An eery voice came from the back seat. "I
know who you are." The words were spoken almost with a growl. The daughter
and I had never been close, but we did know each other.
I responded as I drove. "I
know you do. The question is, 'Do I know you?'"
Silence greeted my question.
And then another question: "Where are you taking me?" Mom tried to
answer her daughter, but I knew the question was intended for me. This time, it
was my turn to choose to be silent. Then, a moment of lucidity seemed to
return, and a quiet conversation began between mother and daughter.
The Bible argues that an evil
spirit had taken up residence inside Saul. And that might be true, or it might
have been a psychological break due to the increasing pressure under which Saul
lived and ruled. I don't want to eliminate either possibility. But whatever
Saul's circumstances were, the reality was that Saul, like my friend, could
either be violent or lucid. At this moment, it was lucidity that won the
moment. He asks if the voice he heard was David, calling him "my son."
David answers similarly, calling Saul "his lord the king." And in
this moment, as David had in similar moments, the humility with which David
reacts is remarkable. David knew that in almost every situation with Saul, he
had been in the right, yet he never pumps himself up and declares his
superiority. Maybe he knew that wasn't going to get him anywhere. He is content
to serve Saul if the King would let him. I am convinced that, in his lucid
moments, Saul was aware of that reality. But something, either a demon or a
psychological problem, kept raising its head and forcing Saul in a direction
that even Saul knew was wrong.
Tomorrow's Scripture Reading:
1 Samuel 27
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