Too Much Luggage

The Israelites didn’t want another prophet leading them but demanded a king like other nations. By this decision, they rejected God, who was their king speaking through Samuel. God was displeased but gave them what they wanted, a man with their idea of kingly qualities: tall, nice looking, courageous, and known for his generosity. But outward appearances can be deceiving; his “inward man” would not lean on and trust God with his strengths or weaknesses that would make him usable for God’s purposes. When it was time for Samuel to present Israel’s first king, Saul hid: “And the Lord answered, Behold, he hath hid himself among the stuff” (1 Samuel 10:22). The word “stuff” in this verse means baggage. Saul hid in the baggage, but the baggage couldn’t hide him.

Though our outward appearance can fool others, the inward person cannot deceive God. With all your stuff and my stuff stored in strategic places, how often do we hide in our “baggage” to escape facing realities that need addressing? Reasons for hiding differ, but we must confront them, surrender to God, allow Him access to expose hiding places, and set us free. Saul could have been a great king had he only allowed God to be King and Ruler of his heart.

God has a plan for your life and mine. He desires sincere hearts bent and surrendered to Him. He knows about your stuff and wants to free you from life’s baggage that weighs you down. Instead of hiding in that stuff of yours, find shelter in God as the psalmist did: “Thou art my hiding place; Thou shalt preserve me from trouble; Thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance” (Psalm 32:7). Crawl out from under the baggage and surrender all to God.