Finishing the Christian Journey

I feel sad after completed reading the Book of 1 Samuel last Saturday morning. (Started from Book of Joshua since mid January)

Very sad …

King Saul, the Lord’s anointed ended his life by committing suicide.
Why did God's anointed and first chosen king ended this way?
What went wrong?
Why did God choose him in the first place? Isn’t there any better man to be king?


Apparently, he was the best person available at that time. (Read 1Sam 9-11) OK, the best person should be Samuel, but he already held two more important offices – Prophet and Priest. The next important office is King.

David, son of Jesse was not born yet. 1Sam 13:1 (NIV) recorded that Saul was 30 years old when he became king and ruled Israel for 42 years. David became king at the age of 30 (2Sam 5:4). This meant that when David was born, Saul had already ruled Israel for 12 years.

After 12 years or more, perhaps impatience (1Sam 13), greed and integrity (1Sam 15) have gotten into him after so long as king.

David, son of Jesse was still a boy when he was anointed (1Sam 16). How old was David when he was anointed? We can make a guess. We know that Jesse had 8 sons, David being the youngest. The first three eldest sons served in Saul’s army (1Sam 17:12,13). In Israel, only men above 20 years old could be in the army (Numbers 1:20) so assuming each of Jesse’s son was one year difference in age, David was no more than 15 years old when he was anointed by Samuel to be the next king.

Wow! Only 15 years old and already chosen to be king!

But have to wait for 15 years before really become king, leh.

So, instead of gracefully stepping down as king, Saul became jealous and plotted to kill David many times. Power struggle!! Yet, David did not once take his hand on the Lord’s anointed. In the end, Saul killed himself.

I may not be the Lord’s anointed.
But still, beware of obstacles in my Christian journey.
Be very aware!!

It’s not how we start the Christian journey.
It’s how we end.
(Like running a marathon, only those who cross the line are counted)

Still very sad … (will I see Saul in heaven?)

Who is wise among us?

Know of any wise guy?

Yah!

Who?

LKY (?) … Ah, ok, sure got this one right, must be King Solomon, lah!


According to Dr Gordan Smith, professor at Regent College, Vancouver, the first of the four marks of a mature Christian is wisdom. I was at his lecture last Friday (6 Feb) and the topic was Spiritual maturity.

Honestly, I have never thought of that. Normally when we talk about spiritual maturity, we talk about bearing spiritual fruit – love, joy, peace, … (Gal 5:22,23). No, that is not even one of the marks of a spiritual Christian. “Wisdom grows with age. A young person can never be considered wise. It is a tragedy for a person to grow old and not wise”. Although he didn’t really define wisdom in his lecture, one dictionary defines wisdom as:

having the power of discerning and judging properly as to what is true or right; possessing discernment, judgment, or discretion

To be able to make right judgment come from having right knowledge. So I quote what Professor Gordon said:

“No wisdom without knowledge
No knowledge without studies”










Wisdom begins with knowing God.

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. (Prov 9:10 NIV)

For those without God, their wisdom at best is still earthly wisdom, not godly wisdom. What then is the different? Godly wisdom is not just about words and thoughts. It includes action and outcome that affect everybody.

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. (James 3:17)

I have been in the Bethany PC English Committee long enough to hear of many decisions being made. Different people approach differently, some more legalistic, some more logically, some more compassionate, some prefer a win-win approach (whatever that is). In BPCES, we also hear of the many decisions the church session made. Ultimately, the test of such decisions is by James 3:17. Sad to say, I feel that most of the time the wisdom of the church session when evaluate under the microscope of James 3:17 does not turn out well. This is just my opinion, no offend to anybody. (Not trying to be judgmental here, just a Share-A-Thought)

Know of any wise guys in Bethany PC?

Eh, our pastors can or not?

How about the church elders, ah?

Proverb 4:
5 Get wisdom, get understanding;
do not forget my words or swerve from them.

6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;
love her, and she will watch over you.

7 Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom.
Though it cost all you have, get understanding.

8 Esteem her, and she will exalt you;
embrace her, and she will honor you.

9 She will set a garland of grace on your head
and present you with a crown of splendor


Sophia, (in Greek mean wisdom)
Mark Lim