1 Samuel 19:20-24: a reflection

20Saul sent messengers to seize David; and when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as head over them, God’s Spirit came on Saul’s messengers, and they also prophesied. 21When Saul was told, he sent other messengers, and they also prophesied. Saul sent messengers again the third time, and they also prophesied. 22Then he also went to Ramah, and came to the great well that is in Secu: and he asked, “Where are Samuel and David?” One said, “Behold, they are at Naioth in Ramah.” 23He went there to Naioth in Ramah. Then God’s Spirit came on him also, and he went on, and prophesied, until he came to Naioth in Ramah. 24He also stripped off his clothes. He also prophesied before Samuel and lay down naked all that day and all that night. Therefore they say, “Is Saul also among the prophets?”

When Saul, determined to seize David, sends messengers to capture him, something remarkable happens: the messengers, coming upon a company of prophets, are overcome by God's Spirit and begin to prophesy instead of carrying out their mission. Saul sends a second group, and a third, and the same thing happens each time; and finally Saul himself goes, and he too is overcome by God's Spirit. Those sent to do harm to David were restrained and turned aside by God, unable to carry out their purpose. God overruled the intentions of those set against his purpose, restraining them, turning them aside, so that their hostile mission failed. This shows that God can overrule and restrain even those who are set on opposing his purposes; their hostility does not have the last word, for God can turn them aside. Those sent to harm David were turned aside by God's Spirit. God can restrain and overrule even those set against his purposes. The mission of harm was thwarted by God. God overrules the intentions of those who oppose him.

Notice what happened to those set on doing harm: God overruled and restrained them. Saul's messengers, and then Saul himself, came intending to seize David; but God's Spirit came upon them, and instead of carrying out their hostile mission, they were turned aside, overcome, made to prophesy. Group after group, and finally Saul himself, were restrained from doing the harm they intended. This shows God's power to overrule the intentions of those set against his purposes. Those who mean harm to God's people or God's work are not beyond his restraint; he can turn them aside, thwart their purpose, overrule their hostile intent. This does not mean God always restrains every opposition in this dramatic way; but it reveals that he is able to, that the hostility of those set against his purposes does not have the last word. God can restrain the hand set against him, turn aside the mission of harm, overrule the intentions of the hostile. When opposition seems set on doing harm, God is able to overrule and restrain it. The hostile mission failed because God turned it aside. God's power over those who oppose him is greater than their intent.

That is worth resting in, for God can overrule and restrain even those set on opposing his purposes, so that their hostility does not have the last word. We can be daunted by those who seem determined to do harm to God's people or God's work, as though their hostile intent were unstoppable; but God turned aside Saul's messengers, and Saul himself, restraining them from harming David. God is able to overrule and restrain the intentions of those set against his purposes. The hostility of the opposed does not have the last word; God can turn it aside. When you are daunted by those set on doing harm, remember that God can overrule and restrain even them, as he turned aside those sent to seize David. Rest in the truth that God can overrule and restrain even those set on opposing his purposes, so that their hostile intent does not have the last word, as God's Spirit came upon Saul's messengers, and Saul himself, and turned them aside from seizing David; for those who mean harm to God's people or work are not beyond his restraint, and he is able to overrule their intentions, turn aside their mission of harm, and thwart their hostile purpose, so that when we are daunted by determined opposition, we can remember that God's power over those set against him is greater than their intent, and their hostility does not finally prevail.

Lord, when Saul, determined to seize David, sends messengers to capture him, something remarkable happens: the messengers, coming upon a company of prophets, are overcome by your Spirit and begin to prophesy instead of carrying out their mission. Saul sends a second group, and a third, and the same thing happens each time; and finally Saul himself goes, and he too is overcome by your Spirit. Those sent to do harm to David were restrained and turned aside by you, unable to carry out their purpose. You overruled the intentions of those set against your purpose. Show me what happened to those set on doing harm: you overruled and restrained them. Saul's messengers, and then Saul himself, came intending to seize David; but your Spirit came upon them, and instead of carrying out their hostile mission, they were turned aside. Group after group were restrained from doing the harm they intended. This shows your power to overrule the intentions of those set against your purposes. Those who mean harm to your people or your work are not beyond your restraint; you can turn them aside, thwart their purpose. This does not mean you always restrain every opposition so dramatically; but it reveals that you are able to, that the hostility of those set against your purposes does not have the last word. Let me rest in that, for you can overrule and restrain even those set on opposing your purposes, so that their hostility does not have the last word. I can be daunted by those who seem determined to do harm to your people or work, as though their hostile intent were unstoppable; but you turned aside Saul's messengers, and Saul himself. When I am daunted by those set on doing harm, help me remember that you can overrule and restrain even them, Lord, as you turned aside those sent to seize David, so that their hostile intent does not finally prevail against your purposes.