READING: 1 Samuel 14-15
A few years ago, I wrote a blog post titled, “When You Grieve a Prodigal’s Sin More than He or She Does.” The situation that gave rise to that post was different than what we read in today’s text, but there’s enough similarity that I’ve remembered that post today. The particular situation in the text was Saul’s rejection of God’s plan when His people fought the Amalekites—an act that resulted in the end of Saul’s reign as king.
These words are the ones that grab my heart today: “Samuel mourned for Saul, and the Lord regretted he had made Saul king over Israel” (1 Sam 15:35). Apparently, the sin of Saul affected Samuel deeply—so much so that it was as if he were lamenting the dead. Even God regretted that He had made Saul king.
I am reminded today not only that I’m not the first one to grieve somebody else’s sin, but also that my sin always affects others. None of us sins in isolation.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Whose sin are you grieving today? Is anyone else grieving your sin?
DAILY PRAYER: “God, give me faith when I grieve others’ sin.”
BIBLETOMORROW’S READING: 1 Samuel 16-18