I love the subtleties in God’s Word. In 1 Samuel 10, the Lord sent Samuel to anoint Saul to be the very first king of Israel. Little did Samuel know, Saul was a big chicken.

Thus Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, and the tribe of Benjamin was taken by lot. Then he brought the tribe of Benjamin near by its families, and the Matrite family was taken. And Saul the son of Kish was taken; but when they looked for him, he could not be found. Therefore they inquired further of the Lord, “Has the man come here yet?” So the Lord said, “Behold, he is hiding himself by the baggage.” (1 Samuel 10:20-22)

Contrast that with David a few chapters later. His dad told him to bring food to his brothers who were on the front line of a battle with the Philistine giants.

So David arose early in the morning and left the flock with a keeper and took the supplies and went as Jesse had commanded him. And he came to the circle of the camp while the army was going out in battle array shouting the war cry. Israel and the Philistines drew up in battle array, army against army. Then David left his baggage in the care of the baggage keeper, and ran to the battle line and entered in order to greet his brothers. (1 Samuel 17:20-22)

One man hid behind his baggage, while the other left the baggage behind. It reflects a foundational difference between Saul and David. Saul feared man (1 Sam 15:24), while David feared the Lord (Psalm 27:1).

What do my actions reflect? A fear of people and what they think about me? Or a true fear of the Lord, knowing that today I am living my life before Him, and that when this world is through, I will stand before the Lord only to give an account for my life?

I choose to leave the baggage behind and walk boldly–even to the front lines when necessary–because I fear and trust God. After all, He has promised to be with me just as He was with David.