One of the reasons I love reading God’s word and sharing that with you is that there are living examples of lives lived and choices made. They may have lived millennia ago but the testament of their lives lives on.

In 1 Samuel 31 we come to the end of this first book of Samuel and to the end of Israel’s first experience of a king. The battle with the Philistines has not gone well and Saul and his sons are killed in battle. Saul is wounded and doesn’t want to die by the Philistines for fear of what they will do to him so he takes his own life when his armor-bearer couldn’t. The account of what they do to his body and the bodies of his sons is gruesome. The valiant men of Jabesh Gilead recover the bodies and ensure they are buried.

Yesterday another mass shooting not far from us in an outdoor shopping mall. Reading the violence in Scripture, watching reports of violence today testifies to all the examples of what human beings can do who do not honor God and His instructions for our good. In the summary below: Consider the difference between the last judge of Israel and its first king. Saul, the king, was characterized by inconsistency, disobedience, and self-will. He did not have a heart for God. Samuel, the judge, was characterized by consistency, obedience, and a deep desire for God’s will. He had a genuine desire for God. When God called Samuel, he said, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening” (3:9). But when God, through Samuel, called Saul, Saul replied, “Why do you say such a thing to me?” (9:21). Saul was dedicated to himself; Samuel was dedicated to God.

I brought my discouragement to God this morning because I felt like a 100 pound weight pushing me down. He told me to choose life. Choose His life in me. I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:13-14. He is my hope when the world of violence makes no sense to me. My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek. Psalm 27:8.

This world is filled with examples for us. Violence is a choice. Trusting God and turning to Him for help and guidance is my only choice. I choose the path He walks and the many examples of faith remind me I am not alone. He is my help just as He helped the faithful throughout all of our history. Choose His life in you and you will never be alone without help. He’s here. People are making choices all around you. What say you?