God’s Tolerance Part 2: “Less than Best” 1 Samuel 11-12

     I like it when God is tolerant of me, but when He is tolerant of you I must also like it.  Though there is a bit of humor in that statement, it is a hard truth that must be examined within my own heart. This hard truth births a closer look at God’s tolerance of me that causes me to take responsibility for the condition of my life. I must remember, whatever God is tolerating is creating a life setting in which I must be faithful.

     We all appreciate and benefit from God being tolerant, but when He is tolerant of those around us we must also be appreciative.  All this creates a life setting that requires flexibility and faithfulness. In this light, the challenge for both the Christian and those who do not believe in Him becomes to faithfully live in circumstances caused by sin. To examine this idea, we can turn to 1 Samuel 11-12.

     One of the first things we discover here is the possibility of a life setting formed by rejecting God’s best (1 Samuel 11) In this text God reveals the existence of justified an unjustified violence. In this setting, there is regret and blame because of the chosen leader. Somehow this chapter seems very familiar to our own. God tolerated their desire for a king and it has brought everything God said it would. Now there is regret. Regret is the outcome of living in less than God’s best.

     Moving to Chapter 12, we observe several ideas about living faithfully in a setting less than God’s best. These ideas are found in Samuel’s farewell address he makes to the Israelites. Each of these ideas are presented here in a short fashion and may better be understood by a slow reading of the text. First, keep a clear conscience before God and others (12:1-5) and remembering God’s ability to deliver (12:6-11). Next living in less than God’s best may provide us with a new sense of obedience (12:12-15) and appreciation for His mercy (12:16-18). Though living in less than God’s best means that we are guilty, we can renew our commitment to live in service from your whole heart (12:19-20). This will bring about the need to refrain from seeking fulfillment through empty things (12:21), moving us into an appreciation of God’s faithfulness to rebellious people and willingness to call us His own (12:22). Finally, we can display humble, and faithful leadership (V.23-25).  
     Being that living in less than Gods best is part of living in a broken world that each of His followers are challenged to live faithfully. Faithfully living in circumstances caused by sin is achieved through forgiveness (Luke 17:1-6).  As each respond to these challenges according to their own family and church roles, may they not sin against God by ceasing to pray and teach truth (12:23).