Day Three Hundred Thirty-Eight “Hinges”
They are the essential hardware that allows door to pivot on one edge as they open and close constantly during the course of one day. Hinges are found on virtually all doors in our homes, from the main entrance door, to the medicine cabinet in the bathroom, to the gate enclosing the back yard. Some are sturdy stainless-steel items, built to support the heavy weight of heavy doors, while others are delicate, comprised of brass or decorative metals, providing an entrance to a small storage chest or an ornamental box. Hinges can even provide a timely squeak to provide an eerie, suspenseful touch for our favorite scary movie. But today, we will examine a type of hinge found in Scripture.
One of the most turbulent periods in the history of the nation of Israel is recorded for us in the book of Judges. In blatant defiance to the command of God, His children would choose to dwell among the inhabitants of Canaan, rather than drive them out. That lapse of obedience would have a far-reaching affect, for God’s people soon found themselves adopting the gods, moral standards, and practices of their heathen neighbors. But the Book of I Samuel is a hinge, a bend in the history of a nation, for now the children of Israel would yearn to adopt a new way of governance, “a king to judge us like all the nations.”
Samuel, Israel’s final judge, would find himself caught between the will of God and the will of a people, a hinge of sorts opening a door to a new era. God was more than willing to provide a King, for His own Son would eventually reign and rule over all of His creation, but the people insisted on an earthly monarch, “for they…have rejected me (God), that I should not reign over them.” Despite Samuel’s stern warnings concerning the long-term implications of a monarchy, they would choose a man who was “good…choice…from his shoulders upward he was higher than any of the people.” Saul looked good, but when put to the test, he would fail miserably.
God could have easily forsaken His people, abandon them as punishment for their self-seeking attitude, but we serve a God Who is gracious, patient, and good, the author of second chances. It would be the young son of Jesse, a writer of poetry and singer of songs, a sweet psalmist, who would be the hinge to the door leading Israel into a new era of national blessings, military victories, and spiritual awakening.
What I love most about serving my Savior is that He is works “all things together for good,” even when I am impulsive, wayward, and disobedient. He is always willing to be the hinge to the door to forgiveness and mend the awful mess that I, in my willfulness, have created.
I John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
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