Be On Your Way

  “The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king”” (1 Samuel 16:1).
          The endeavor to establish a monarchy in Israel hadn’t gone well up to this point.  King Saul had proven to be unfit for leadership, ultimately earning for himself the rejection of God.  The situation was filled with emotion for those most directly involved.  In spite of the fact that the prophet Samuel was firmly on God’s side in the matter, he still was grieving over what had happened.  Even the LORD himself had an emotional investment in the events (1 Samuel 15:35).
          But by the beginning of chapter 16, the time for mourning and regret regarding the past was over.  While grieving over sin was allowed and perhaps even necessary, the time given to such things apparently had a shelf life.  According to God, Samuel needed to be on his way.  It was time to get up and get going.  There was a new king to anoint.  The plans and intentions of God may experience turbulence but they will never be grounded.
          The “Preacher” of Ecclesiastes speaks of there being a time for everything (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8).  Perhap we could add one more to his list: A time to get busy.  There is a time to discuss options and consider alternatives.  There is a time to share emotions and reflect on events.  I get that.  I have a tendency to overthink things myself.  But there is such a thing as paralysis by analysis.  Sooner or later, the time comes to act.  Maybe the words of Elijah to the people of Israel are appropriate as a reminder here: "How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him" (1 Kings 18:21).  Is it time to get up and get going?

God loves you!
Mike