In our daily lives, we encounter many occasions when we have to make decisions. We have to decide which items to buy in a store, where to go for college, what major to declare, what profession to choose, and what motions to pass in a meeting. But let us realize that no decision is completely up to us, nor does everything always work according to our wishes.
Choice implies freewill, and anyone of us may use our God-given freewill to choose what we think are the best options. Making our own choices in life can be painful, for we must take responsibility for the choices we make, not only in relation to ourselves but also to others. We can be like travelers who wander at the crossroads of life. But as Christians, we are fortunate to have a God who knows everything that lies ahead of us, including the best direction for us.
At Shunem (1 Sam 28), the Philistines assembled and set up their camp to fight the Israelites. Saul, the king of Israel, saw the Philistine army and terror filled his heart. He inquired of the Lord for the outcome, but the God of Israel did not answer him. In desperation, Saul consulted a witch at Endor and asked her to call up Samuel’s spirit so that he might receive some revelation.
In 1 Samuel 29, the Amalekites raided Ziklag and took captive all who were in it, both young and old. David inquired of the Lord, "Shall I pursue after this troop? Shall I overtake them?" The Lord answered, "Pursue; for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all." David pursued the enemy, overtook them, and delivered the captives (1 Sam 30:1–2, 8–9, 18).
Because Saul rebelled against God, God no longer answered him, nor guided his decisions. But David feared God; therefore God showed him the way he should go. By comparing these two biblical examples, we can learn from Saul’s mistakes and David’s virtues. When we entrust our lives to God and fear Him, we gain a clearer perspective of the way God wants us to travel in all circumstances.
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