Apologetics

A Better Alternative

by Olawale Ogunsola
10/15/23
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At the point of a king's misbehavior, the Lord by the mouth of His faithful servant, Samuel, told the first king in the land of Israel,
"The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to a neighbor of yours, who is better than you.
And also the strength of Israel will not lie or relent." 1 Samuel 15:28-29.

The symbolic action of tearing of the kingdom was carried out by King Saul when he seized the edge of Samuel's robe and it tore; this is in verse twenty-eight.

The Lord never acts half-mindedly. He never tells lies or regrets his actions to carry out a replacement. He acts on purpose with determination.

The focus of this piece is on the better alternatives.

Whenever God carries out a substitution, He does so with something or someone better. This was the case with David, the successor to King Saul of Israel. King Saul was given to the people of God in answer to their inordinate request for a king which was an outright rejection of God's rule over them, 1 Samuel 10:19;8:4-6.

So, King Saul was a "man of the people". He was a king after the heart of the people. When the people were told what the evil conduct of their choice would be, they were satisfied and rejoiced to have it so. , 1 Samuel 8:11-20.

The king never disappointed them, he acted the script written of him. When he started to walk contrary to God's instructions, his excuse for this was simple, THE PEOPLE, 1 Samuel 15:13-21. Throughout his reign, he never stopped looking for the help and pity of the people, 1 Samuel 22:7-17. He acted to please people and himself, not God. The Lord was not in his thoughts and deeds for the last thirty-eight years out of forty years of reign.

Conversely, a better alternative, David, was found out by God Himself for Himself. He saw in him a heart that would follow hard after Him to do all His bidding, 1 Samuel 16:1.

Do you know that God's choice never disappointed Him? He was always panting after the heart of God and His commandments. He speedily carried out the Lord's instructions. He never greedily followed people's instructions. When a counsel is given, he would scrutinize to know whether or not it is in line with God's words to know whether or not it originated from God. He rejected every ungodly counsel.

An example will suffice here.

When the Lord gave him victory over the Amalekites and he recovered all that had been taken from his dwelling place in Ziklag, the men of Belial gave him a counsel, "Because they did not go with us, we will not give them any of the spoil we have recovered, except for every man's wife and children, that they may lead them away and depart." 1 Samuel 30:22.

What was the response of a man after the heart of God? He did not insult or disgrace those who came up with the wicked suggestions. He wisely said, "My brethren, you shall not do so with what the Lord has given us who has preserved us and delivered into our hand the troop that came against us.
For who will heed you in this matter? But as his part is who goes down to the battle, so shall his part be who stays by the supplies, they shall share alike." 1 Samuel 30:22-24.

He did righteously because he was a representative of a righteous God. He wanted to please Him in the lives of His people. It is interesting to know the conclusion of that discussion as recorded in the Scriptures,
"So it was, as from that day forward, he made it a statute and an ordinance for Israel to this day." 1 Samuel 30:25.

There are so many good legacies recorded about David, a better alternative in the Holy Scriptures. This became possible because he did not join the multitudes to do wickedly before God. Contrarily, he leads the multitudes to follow the Lord, his God.

How many such statements were recorded about the man of the people, King Saul? Anytime the Lord carries out a replacement, He does so to fulfill His purpose only and in the lives of His people, especially when they do not provoke Him to anger.

Let me not fail to point out here that David was able to achieve all the feats because he had the Spirit of God in him and he never failed to obey Him. He acted according to His dictates and not according to people's wishes.

Beloved reader, you may be an alternative in the hands of the Lord. Are you a better one? Have you been chosen by the Lord in place of another person? Are you sure that the Holy One Who chose you will celebrate and rejoice over you? Will He regret over you, (God forbid)?

Carefully examine yourself to see where your responsibility is. Is it to take care of someone or something in an area or aspect thereof? What is it that has been entrusted to your care? Are you faithful in it? Know very well that the Lord has equipped you before He commissioned you. You already can do His work for His glory. May you be able to do His work to receive the right rewards in Jesus' mighty name. Stay blessed and prepared for the imminent coming of the Lord.

Note:
All Scriptures quoted are from the New King James Version, KJV, of the Holy Bible.