Serving Saul

Sunday, Bishop preached part two of a series titled “The Waiting Season,” where he detailed through various scriptures the gift and challenge of waiting for God to answer prayers. The message in its entirety was fruitful and in depth, but the climax was the closing portion. Bishop concluded with a question that left most including myself, in deep thought, reflection and retrospection. He asked, “Are we mature enough to pray for our Sauls?” WOW!! What a question! For those unfamiliar with the story of David and Saul, it begins in the book of 1st Samuel. It’s a story of a young man named David chosen by God to dethrone Saul, a king chosen by the people, as king. Saul hated David! He was jealous, envious and wanted him dead. Because Bishop’s overall message spoke of seasons of waiting, the story fit perfectly. Although David was chosen as a boy, he did not assume the office until adulthood. Most noteworthy, while awaiting God’s promise to manifest, David served with honesty and integrity despite his knowledge of Saul’s abhorrence for him. Imagine serving diligently in excellence daily with awareness, the person you serve actively seeks your demise. How many of us would continue to serve?

Let’s be honest, most if not all of us would have told Saul to kick rocks barefoot or sought to avenge him first. It takes a great level of humility and divine maturity to remain in position under severe attack, while in a season with the end yet determined. So, as I stated, the question challenged me greatly. I reflected on the seasons I served Sauls and how emotionally, mentally and physically daunting it was. I remember those I confided in encouraging me to retaliate and bring closure to those relationships. As deeply as I wished the season would have ended immediately, the Lord’s timeline was totally different. Therefore, I needed to develop a strategy to continue in obedience without, as people say today, “crashing out.”

While developing a strategy, it was important to understand what God required to graduate and not belabor the season. One key requirement is found in Psalm 40:1 as David exclaimed, he waited patiently for the Lord to help. Bishop mentioned this on Sunday, PATIENCE is paramount when facing a season of turbulence. Patience builds faith, endurance, and provides peace and confidence in God’s plan. It combats anxiety and silences fear of being consumed by the unknown. Developing patience opened my spirit to receiving the ultimate instructions to serving Saul and successfully completing that season: consecration and intercession. The Lord shifted me to Psalms 24:4-5 “Only those whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idols and never tell lies. They will receive the Lord’s blessing and have a right relationship with God their Savior.” While I don’t have space in this post to completely unpack that verse, the summation is to receive God’s blessings during and especially after such a season. One must examine his/her heart to ensure the intent is pure and Christ-centered. Also, there must be an assurance that idolatry isn’t the motivation to the person earning the title “Saul,” (or bearing the Saul spirit). For example: was the person someone you once admired to the degree they became an idol for you, and because they injured your view of them, now you consider them “Saul?” If this is the case, according to Psalms 24:4-5, what needs to be addressed first are your challenges with idolatry. If not, the cycle will continue: idol + disappointment = an enemy.

I had to mature spiritually to consecrate myself (examine in totality) and pray for the will of God for my Sauls. Without first consecrating and exposing my heart, the prayers would be driven by anger, emotion, and malice to control the narrative. 1 Sam 15:23 cautions us that such an action (control/stubbornness) equates to witchcraft. So, I conclude this post, which extended beyond my intent, with the same question Bishop gave on Sunday, “Are we mature enough to pray for our Sauls?” In my experience, in doing so, not only did the season become less cumbersome, it expedited  matriculation to the next. Although honest about the experience, my heart towards them is pure and my hands are clean.