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Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Friday, 25 July 2025:
1 Samuel 11:1–3 – Then Nahash the Ammonite went up and besieged Jabesh-gilead…. But Nahash the Ammonite said to them, “On this condition I will make a treaty with you, that I gouge out all your right eyes, and thus bring disgrace on all Israel.”
The threat of Nahash the Ammonite is cruel, humiliating, and strategic. Gouging out the right eye would disable warriors and demoralize a nation. The enemy doesn’t merely want control—he wants to shame God’s people and make them powerless. Spiritually, this reminds us of how Satan operates: not just to destroy, but to disgrace (John 10:10; Revelation 12:10). His aim is to blind, enslave, and bring shame on the church. Just as the people of Jabesh are helpless and desperate, so too are we in our sin apart from the Deliverer.
1 Samuel 11:4–5 – When the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul…. Saul was coming from the field behind the oxen. And Saul said, “What is wrong with the people, that they are weeping?”
Saul is still working in obscurity, behind the oxen, not yet living fully into his kingly role. Though anointed, he has not yet acted as a deliverer. This moment of crisis becomes the catalyst for him to step into his calling.
Saul had already been anointed by Samuel as king (1 Samuel 10:1), yet we find him here returning from the field—still working behind the oxen, still living a life of ordinary labor, not yet stepping into the public and spiritual authority of his calling. He is king, but not yet functioning as one. There’s a kind of tension between his divine appointment and his public inactivity. Saul’s question, “What is wrong with the people, that they are weeping?” reveals not only concern but a dawning awareness of his responsibility. This crisis stirs him to action and catalyzes his transformation from a hidden figure to a visible, Spirit-empowered leader (v.6).
This moment mirrors how many Christians live post-salvation: anointed, called, and indwelt by the Spirit (2 Corinthians 1:21–22), yet still plowing behind the oxen, so to speak — not yet fully embracing the public responsibility of their identity in Christ. But often it’s a crisis — a need, an injustice, a cry from others, a awakening to the reality of the fate of those who live without Christ — that becomes the holy spark for action (Eph. 2:10). Like Saul, we may know we’ve been called, and even confirmed in our calling, but we linger in obscurity out of fear, doubt, or inertia. Yet God often uses crisis moments not to destroy us, but to awaken and deploy us. When we hear the cry of others, it may be the Holy Spirit’s way of calling us forward. The question is: will we leave the oxen behind?
Throughout Scripture, we see repeated patterns of delayed courage, sudden boldness, and the fine line between Spirit-led action and self-driven presumption. Jonathan and his armor-bearer demonstrate godly initiative, moving forward in faith when others were paralyzed by fear, trusting that “nothing can hinder the LORD from saving by many or by few” (1 Samuel 14:6). Likewise, Phinehas, the priest who thrust a spear through an Israelite man and a Midianite woman in the midst of their brazen sin (Numbers 25:6–8), acted with a holy zeal that turned away God’s wrath — his boldness aligned with God’s righteous anger. In Judges 20, after horrific sin among the Benjamites, the other tribes finally rise to confront it, but only after inquiry and costly failure, revealing how reluctant and unprepared people often are to confront evil until it reaches unbearable levels.
The delay in action, in many of these cases, reflects fear, uncertainty, or spiritual lethargy—people don’t step up sooner because they are unsure of their authority, unclear about God’s timing, or more comfortable with inertia than with risk. Conversely, some do act—but out of impulse rather than obedience. Peter’s rash strike in Gethsemane (John 18:10) was well-intended but misguided, revealing how zeal disconnected from divine guidance can cause harm. Similarly, Israel, after refusing to enter the Promised Land at God’s command, later attempted to go up without Him and were soundly defeated (Numbers 14:40–45). These contrasts highlight the importance of walking in step with God’s Spirit: boldness rooted in faith and submission brings victory, but boldness rooted in pride or panic leads to ruin. True courage is not merely acting, but acting in alignment with the will and timing of God.
1 Samuel 11:6–7 – And the Spirit of God rushed upon Saul when he heard these words, and his anger was greatly kindled…. And he took a yoke of oxen and cut them in pieces and sent them… saying, “Whoever does not come out after Saul and Samuel, so shall it be done to his oxen!”
Here we see righteous anger empowered by the Spirit — an anger not rooted in ego but in zeal for God’s people and justice. The Spirit comes upon Saul, stirring holy indignation and bold leadership. His decisive action unifies the tribes of Israel in a way that reflects how the Spirit unites the Church under one Head (1 Corinthians 12:13). Saul invokes Samuel’s name as well, showing he is not acting apart from God’s prophet. This partnership mirrors the way Jesus operates in harmony with the Father and Spirit, not as a rogue savior but as the appointed Deliverer (John 5:19).
Saul is transformed by the Spirit of God, not into a contemplative prophet or passive ruler, but into a man of decisive and forceful action. Saul sends a powerful message to all the men warning that inaction will bring real consequences. The demand is clear: either join the fight to defend your fellow Israelites, or face the loss of your livelihood. Saul appeals not only to loyalty and duty but also uses fear as a motivator. The Spirit’s empowerment of Saul validates his authority and action, but the method he employs—a threat—is complex and raises questions about the nature of godly leadership and the use of fear.
This episode echoes other biblical calls to decisive obedience. Jesus’ teachings often draw stark lines between action and inaction. In the parables of the talents (Matthew 25:14–30) and the sheep and goats (Matthew 25:31–46), for example, the consequences for doing nothing — for burying what God has entrusted or ignoring the needs of others — are severe. Jesus’ words, “Whoever is not with me is against me” (Matthew 12:30), make clear that passivity in the face of spiritual conflict is a form of rebellion. At the same time, Jesus rarely motivates by fear alone. His calls to obedience are grounded in love, in belonging, and in the promise of eternal reward. While He warns of judgment, His primary draw is the invitation to follow Him in sacrificial, love-filled discipleship.
Does God condone threats as a leadership tool or “credit” fear-driven obedience? God certainly uses fear in Scripture — of judgment, of consequences, of divine wrath — as a means to awaken people from spiritual slumber. The fear of the Lord is, after all, the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). But this fear is meant to mature into reverent awe and love. Obedience born only from fear may lead to outward conformity, but not inward transformation. The Lord desires hearts fully devoted to Him (Deuteronomy 6:5; Mark 12:30). Nevertheless, God often works with people where they are, accepting fear-based obedience as a starting point — just as He used Saul’s forceful tactic to mobilize Israel — but His goal is always to draw His people toward obedience that flows from love, trust, and the willing surrender of the heart. Fear may awaken the slumbering, but only love sustains true faithfulness and consistency of Christlike character. You might struggle to obey God because you are scared not to or because you know you are supposed to — and it is always better to obey than to disobey, regardless the motivation; but what God desires is for you to obey because you really want to, His requirements becoming your genuine “desire-ments.” This the light loaded life Jesus talked about, where your connection with Him and the spiritual power which comes from sharing His heart makes the obedience which was once so hard now a joy, though still requiring the same sacrifice.
- Matthew 11:28-30 – “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
- 1 John 5:3 — For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.
- John 15:5, 8 — I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing…. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
- Galatians 5:22-23 — But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control….
Obedience to Christ becomes not a heavy burden but a joyful response when it flows from union with Him. Jesus doesn’t merely give us commands — He gives us Himself. His invitation in Matthew 11 is not to religious toil or exhausting moral effort, but to rest in His presence and to receive His yoke, which is easy, and His burden, which is light. Why? Because in taking His yoke, we are not being crushed by duty — we are walking beside the One who carries it with us, who already bore the crushing burden of sin on the cross. This is why John can say that God’s commandments are not burdensome (1 John 5:3). They become a delight when the love of God has taken root in us, and His Spirit is alive within us. Obedience without love is mere compliance, but obedience flowing from love is worship.
Jesus describes our life in Him as one of abiding — of staying connected like a branch to a vine (John 15:5). The branch does not strain to produce fruit; it simply remains attached to the life source. So too, we bear fruit not by grinding out goodness but by staying close to Christ, receiving His life, and letting His Spirit shape our desires. The fruit of the Spirit — love, joy, peace, patience, and the rest — are not demands to meet, but the natural outcome of living in communion with Him (Galatians 5:22–23). When we walk with Him, His character becomes ours. The burden of rule-keeping is replaced by the joy of becoming who we were created to be.
This is the difference between passion and mere duty. When someone delights in a pursuit, the effort is not resented but welcomed. The weightlifter enjoys the challenge of increasing resistance, while the unmotivated laborer may resent lifting far less. The runner trains with joy, while the reluctant jogger drags their feet. In the same way, obedience to Christ, when fueled by passion and empowered by the Spirit, becomes joyful—even when difficult. However, passion often lags behind obedience. Our hearts are not always aligned with God’s will at first. We may begin out of discipline, showing up before we feel anything. This is not hypocrisy—it’s faith. It’s saying, “Lord, I want to want what You want. Help my heart catch up.” Just as consistent exercise builds not only strength but a desire to continue, obedience to Christ often awakens in us a deeper hunger for holiness and a greater joy in His presence.
But we must guard against the trap of externalism. It is dangerously easy to pursue outward morality for the sake of approval, reputation, or self-righteousness. The Pharisees looked good on the outside, but their hearts were far from God. We must obey not because we want to appear “good,” but because we long to be with Christ and become like Him. The goal is not performance but transformation. Real fruit is not for the branch’s benefit—it exists for others and multiplies outwardly. The branch receives its joy from the Vine, not the fruit. In the same way, our joy is not in what we do, but in whom we abide. When Christ’s life pulses through us, obedience becomes natural, joyful, and fruitful — not because we are trying harder, but because we are truly alive in Him.
1 Samuel 11:6 — And the Spirit of God rushed upon Saul.
The world is full of leaders but very few Spirit-led leaders.
1 Samuel 11:6 – …and his anger was greatly kindled.
Not all anger is bad. There is a righteous anger that stands against evil for God’s glory and for the sake of others. Righteous anger is never motivated by selfishness or self-preservation. Righteous anger is not absent of love but rather inspired by love, love for God and love for others. Similarly, though we are accustomed to self-centered jealousy, there is a righteous jealousy that defends those we love from things we know will only lure them away from the path of love. Key to handling your emotions well is to understand the true source of the emotion or the “heart” behind to emotion. Is it truly selfless or selfish?
1 Samuel 11:8–11 – The fear of the Lord fell upon the people, and they came out as one man… And the next day Saul put the people in three companies… and struck down the Ammonites until the heat of the day.
The Spirit-led unity of God’s people results in complete victory. Saul uses wise military strategy, but the real power is God’s Spirit at work through obedience and courage. The battle is won because the people responded in faith, not fear. This foreshadows the unity and victory the Church is called to walk in through the Spirit. In Romans 8:37, Paul declares, “In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” The victory belongs to the Lord, but we must rise and act in obedience.
1 Samuel 11:12–13 – Then the people said to Samuel, “Who is it that said, ‘Shall Saul reign over us?’ Bring the men, that we may put them to death.” But Saul said, “Not a man shall be put to death this day, for today the Lord has worked salvation in Israel.”
Saul refuses to take revenge on those who had previously doubted him. This restraint shows humility and spiritual clarity. He acknowledges that the victory belongs to the Lord—not to himself. This is Saul at his best: Spirit-filled, merciful, and giving glory to God. In this moment, he reflects the heart of Jesus, who after His resurrection did not destroy those who doubted Him, but commissioned and restored them (John 21:15–17; Matthew 28:16–20). Saul’s mercy here previews the grace of Christ—who leads not with vengeance but with redeeming love.
Saul began his reign showing mercy and grace and leading with a heart of reconciliation. He did not seek revenge or use the power plays most political leaders used. He sought to bring unity. Unfortunately, his heart will change over time. As you continue to read, see if you can identify what causes Saul’s downfall after such a great start. The Bible has something to teach us all from the life of Saul.
1 Samuel 11:14–15 – Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to Gilgal and there renew the kingdom.” So all the people went to Gilgal, and there they made Saul king before the Lord… and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.
The battle brings unity and spiritual renewal. Saul’s kingship is confirmed not merely by ceremony but by Spirit-empowered deliverance. Gilgal, a site of covenant renewal in Joshua’s time (Joshua 5:9), becomes again a place of recommitment. In the same way, the Church is continually called to renew its allegiance to Christ—not just by remembering His coronation but by rejoicing in His victory and living under His rule (Colossians 1:13–14).
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 25 July 2025: Don’t wait for a crisis to remember your calling. If you belong to Christ, you have already been anointed by His Spirit to walk in boldness, unity, and mercy. Like Saul, we may be tempted to shrink back into hiding or everyday routine. But when evil threatens and others are paralyzed in fear, rise in faith. Be courageous in the Spirit, act in righteousness, and remember that the true King—Jesus—has already secured the victory. Now, lead others in joyful renewal under His reign.
Pray: “Lord, thank You that in Christ, You have delivered me from shame, fear, and spiritual blindness. Empower me by Your Spirit to walk in courage and mercy. When I face opposition or feel inadequate, remind me that You are my strength and my victory. Let me not seek vengeance or personal glory, but lead others to rejoice in Your salvation. Help me renew my allegiance to You daily and lead with humility, like Christ, in all things. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
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