Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“Samuel took a vial of oil and poured it on his head, and kissed him; he said, ‘The Lord has anointed you ruler over his people Israel. You shall reign over the people of the Lord and you will save them from the hand of their enemies all around.’”
NL Daily Devotion for Friday, October 21, 2022
by R. M. Fergus, Clergy Stuff
I can only imagine Saul’s shock. He’s just been running around for three days trying to find his father’s wayward donkeys and suddenly a prophet has told him that all of Israel’s hope is fixed on Saul, a nobody from the lowliest tribe of the people. And now, the next morning, that same prophet anoints him king. Wait. What?
Thankfully, Samuel is willing to prove himself—he predicts in highly specific terms what’s going to happen to Saul in the next day (and some of it’s weird, folks) and then instructs Saul to wait for him for a week, when more will be revealed.
I’ve had a few moments in my life that have caused complete consternation, and found myself wondering what my next course of action should be. I have to admit that in those times, it’s not usually my first thought to ask God about it. I’m a figure-it-out-er and it doesn’t serve me all that well, truth be told. Usually it’s in my expressing my “Wait. What?” to another person that I get my reassurance that I’m not nuts and guidance as to how to proceed. Sometimes it’s a friend. Sometimes it’s my therapist. Sometimes it’s a recovery fellow. I’m just grateful that God speaks through the people around me, so that when truly life-changing things are on the table, I know God is right there in the midst of it.
What is the first action I take when faced with a major life event or decision?
