Be careful what you wish for
Categories : Bible |
It’s often said that in answer to prayer, God will give answers along the lines of “yes”, “no”, and “wait.” Yet sometimes he might also give us the things we ask for, even if they are things that are not really good for us. An answer along the lines of “well I think this is a bad idea, but here you go - if it’s what you really want…” (Parents, does that sound familiar?)
Reading the last few days in 1 Samuel 8-10
, there’s a great example of this very thing. The people of Israel are crying out for a king like all the other nations, despite God’s repeated warnings that this is not what is best for them. And so God gives them exactly what they ask for, an impressive, tall dark and handsome king who also happens to be an airhead and a coward. It’s a pretty comical story. When we first meet Saul he is out unsuccesfully hunting down some lost donkeys (he never does find them - God sends them home for him) and needs to be pushed every step of the way by his resourceful servant. This guy seems to have no initiative or leadership skills whatsoever. Next up, when the ballots select Saul as king (as he had already been foretold that they would) where is he? Hiding amongst the baggage! What a wuss. But they found him and crowned him king anyway. The most you could say for Saul is that he was humble at least, but even this quality didn’t last very long. So God gave the people what they asked for - an impressive good looking king like all the other nations. But not only did they get what they asked for, they also got what they deserved. In the ensuing chapters (and indeed the whole of the books of Samuel and Kings, with a few notable exceptions) you can almost hear the echo of the words of God hanging in the background - a great big “I told you so!” So be careful what you pray for - you just might get it!
