Day 82, or March the 23rd. Standing on the shoulders
of giants. Our thoughts today are rooted in 2
Samuel, chapter 1, verse 23. Saul and Jonathan,
in life they were loved and admired, and in death
they were not parted. They were swifter than
eagles, they were stronger than lions. First,
the big picture surrounding this verse. With
the death of Saul, 1 Samuel closes, and this
important event is repeated at the beginning
of 2 Samuel. The range of mountains where Saul
died is cursed by David, and even today there
is very little greenery on Mount Gilboa in northern
Israel. David's reign begins in Hebron, but he
finally rules the whole of Israel from his city
Jerusalem, after a long war with the surviving
son of King Saul. And now our action step for
today. David pays his final tribute to King Saul
and his son Jonathan with a song at the beginning
of the book of 2 Samuel. What a refreshing idea
that we respect those who were in authority before
us. I was told some years ago that the best minister
any church ever had is the one before last. It
takes that long to forget their mistakes. However,
David has respected Saul all his life as the
Lord's anointed, and it's not surprising that
this continues after Saul's death. If only this
respect could spread through ministries and churches
alike. It's not long since I was talking to someone
in a well -established ministry about their founder
who had moved on to other things. I was told
that it would be better if we didn't talk about
him when the current leader was around, as it
could cause problems. How sad is that? All churches
and ministries are different, and leaders are
just as varied, but why not try to speak well
of those who served the Lord in the past? It's
so easy to simply blame them for all that is
wrong and give little credit for their valued
legacy. We are truly standing on the shoulders
of giants. Try speaking of previous co -workers
as part of your foundations rather than stepping
stones for you to walk on.