“God’s amazing ‘permissiveness’”

By Rev. Michael Stonhouse

Meditation – Monday, July 3, 2023

1 Samuel 10:17-27 (Forward, p. 66) CEV p. 286

For centuries believers of all stripes have struggled with the seeming contradiction between human free will and God’s overriding sovereignty. Here, in today’s passage, it once more comes to the surface. Israel, as Samuel puts it, has rejected God as their king and asked for a human king instead, even though it has been God who has led them and rescued them from their enemies. Surely, this is an instance of human choice, human free will.

And yet, God goes along with this, and makes use of this, in directing them in the choice of the person who would become their king. The text is quite explicit in stating that it was God, rather than humans—even though it would seem otherwise at times—that had chosen him (see verses 19-21,24) and states that it was really the Lord that had made him king (see 1 Samuel 12:13).

And so, in a very real way, this ‘solves’ the seeming contradiction, the seeming paradox. God allows, permits, human free will, and then uses it, fits it into His divine plan. And, as the apostle Paul points out (Romans 8:28), God does work out all things to the good of those who love Him. And so, even when we ‘get it wrong’, even when we sin, God is still in control and still orchestrating things for our good and the good of our world. Thanks be to God. Amen.

Forward notes: “But some worthless fellows said, ‘How can this man save us?’ They despised him and brought him no present. But [Saul] held his peace” (verse 27).

“In my professional life, I have often been underestimated because of my youth. In my first job as a literature teacher, older teachers were assigned to tutor and advise me, yet these tutors did not have faith in my work. I managed all alone, worked very hard, and didn’t focus on the fact that they didn’t value my contributions.

“Then, on one occasion, the department chair conducted a review of all our written reports. She held one of mine in her hand and showed it to all the faculty. ‘Look!’ she said. ‘This is how a lesson plan should be designed.’

“The Bible features many men and women who were looked down on by their peers, like Saul when God chose him to rule. The people of Israel turned their backs to God many times. People not only refused to listen to Stephen, but they stoned him to death. When people put us down, we should hold our peace, pray for them, and keep going.”

Moving Forward: “Can you think of examples when Jesus reached out to someone who was underestimated or despised?”