How Long will you grieve?

 I Samuel 16:1     How long will you grieve?

Many have been asked this question, some in ignorance by insensitive well-meaning people, but more times than not for me, it is a question I ask myself. Typically it is associated with feelings of hurt and anger or resentment (all basically the same). I find myself holding onto things I simply need to release to God.

Samuel has just told Saul, in highly visible, hard to miss terms, that God has removed His favor from him, that he will be replaced as king. Samuel was grieving the loss. Perhaps he was remembering the good and regretting the bad choices Saul made that brought these consequences. Maybe there was some, "what could I have done, moments" but that is speculation. Samuel was God's messenger, his servant and was taking this loss personally but he knew he had obeyed God, still he was grieving.

God asks him a redundant question because knew Samuel and He already had the solution in the future. When my children were teenagers I used to tell them "get over it". It was not a very popular "mom ism" and often appear insensitive. But I knew what they did not; tomorrow comes and life goes on, with all it's hurts and moves us forward. God tells Samuel to "get over it" and move - do something; specifically let's go get my anointed king.

When I think about that pivotal moment in history and how it has affected the lives of more than a few, I see God's hand in His plan. Saul had a place in that plan, it was a different place but God used it to build up a faithful King. When I think about this young, ruddy, handsome youth it brings me to amazement and gratitude for my loving God. This psalmist with all his failures and successes, his faithfulness in the midst of terror, his love for His God and his place in prophecy, the lineage of Christ, I am grateful that God's plan is always better than mine or Samuel's.

Samuel struggled letting of of the past; grieving for Saul. But he trusted God enough to move forward and usher in King David, a man after God's own heart.

Is there something in the past that God might be asking that question of you? How long will you grieve?
God is the God of both the past and the future. His promises are true and sure, his love steadfast and stronger than any thing that might be holding us back. What might this pivot point between the past and the future be ushering in for us?