Grieving Our National Leaders | 1 Samuel 15:34-35

Vince Miller Podcast

Do you grieve our national leaders?

Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller.

This week, we are in 1 Samuel 15. I've titled this chapter "The Consequences of Disobedience."

In yesterday's devotional, we saw how Saul's insecurity led him to disobedience by prioritizing the people's voice over God's, which resulted in his leadership being torn from him and given to the man we will read about in the next chapter. With this, we close off this chapter with this sad reality in verses 34-35:

Then Samuel went to Ramah, and Saul went up to his house in Gibeah of Saul. And Samuel did not see Saul again until the day of his death, but Samuel grieved over Saul. And the Lord regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel. — 1 Samuel 15:34-35

These two men went to their homes and never saw each other again. It is such a sad ending to forty years. We also learn that Samuel would outlive King Saul. That is an interesting detail, considering that before Saul was appointed King, the people thought Samuel was old and needed a successor. Now we learn Samuel would outlive his reign.

But notice Samuel's response to Saul. He was "grieved over" him. Samuel didn't psychologically hate him. He hoped something better would have transpired during his reign and that Saul would have obeyed. Therefore, he grieves for him and the situation.

I have met many believers from generations ahead of me who feel the same about our time. They are grieved about what they see and hear in our time, and their hearts are heavy.

Faithful servants of God don't celebrate fallen leaders and God's judgment and retribution. They grieve it because they know that sin awaits everyone, and they, too, are susceptible to its consequences.

Pray for our national leaders. Pray against untruthful ideologies and ask that God's truth be revealed to them. Pray that they will act in obedience to God. Pray for an end to untruth, disobedience, and deception. But don't celebrate it—grieve it because you, too, have sinful inclinations.

God, we pray for our nation. We pray for all our leaders. Expose untruth, reveal the truth, and call our leaders to obey you. Amen.

#PrayForLeaders, #GrieveNotCelebrate, #FaithfulResponse

Ask This:

1. How can you cultivate a heart of empathy and prayerfulness when faced with the failures or shortcomings of those in leadership positions, both in your community and on a national level?
2. In what ways can you personally model obedience to God in your daily life, especially when you see others in leadership not living out these values? How can this influence your prayers and actions toward leaders?

Do This:

Pray for our leaders.

Pray This:

Lord, help me grieve our leaders' shortcomings with a heart full of compassion and prayer rather than judgment. Guide me to live in obedience to Your commands and to seek Your truth in every situation. Amen.

Play This:

Let the Nations Rise.