I’ve recently been reading in the book of First Samuel and I came across two stories that really got my attention. Two verses in particular really jumped out at me. The first one was 1 Samuel 10:22, “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.’” The second one is 1 Samuel 17:22, “Then David left his baggage in the care of the baggage keeper, and ran to the battle line in order to greet his brothers.”
One man was hiding in the baggage and the other left his baggage behind to run towards the battle line. Oh my! In the first verse, the man hiding in the baggage is the soon-to-be king, Saul. The second verse of course, refers to the one who would later be king, David. Two men destined to be king… two entirely different responses! One was hiding in the baggage, the other left his baggage in the hands of one equipped to handle it and ran towards the battle line.
Reading these two verses, I had to ask myself a question. Am I like Saul, hiding amongst my baggage or am I like David, leaving my baggage behind to run towards the battle line? If you are familiar with your Old Testament history, you already know that Saul’s life did not turn out so well. In fact, God eventually regretted choosing him to be king over Israel. David was then chosen by God to be the next king of Israel. I think these verses offer us a unique glimpse of each these men.
I have to confess; I can definitely sympathize with Saul; I have spent my share of time hiding in the baggage. It’s easy to do, but as Saul found; it doesn’t offer much protection. Baggage doesn’t offer as much protection as you might hope… and it makes you look rather silly when you are found hiding in it. Saul would have looked more like the king they needed had he courageously stepped forward into the calling God had placed upon Him.
Unfortunately, as would often be the case in his life, Saul let his emotions guide him. He let his fear cause him to try to hide from what he was being asked to do. (Jonah could have told him that doesn’t work out very well!) As we saw in our verse, God knew exactly where Saul was hiding and revealed it to the people seeking him. Hiding usually doesn’t work out for a long time; we eventually have to face the things we’d rather not have to deal with.
I love how 1 Samuel 17:22 says that David left his baggage in the care of the baggage keeper. Oh, how wise we would be, if we too, left our baggage in the care of the Baggage Keeper. He is much better equipped to handle it than you or me. Young David was wise to surrender his baggage before running to the battle line. In case you haven’t figured it out already, this verse is leading up to the moment when David would courageously go out and fight the giant Goliath.
I have a feeling that David would not have been successful in his battle with the giant had he continued to hold on to the baggage that he had brought with him. No, David had to let go of his baggage before he could defeat the giant. Can I tell you a secret, my friend? This holds true in our lives as well. If we want to defeat the giants in our life, then we’re going to have to let go of the baggage. We’re going to have to put our baggage in the hands of the Baggage Keeper and let Him take care of it.
If we wish to be victorious against the giants we will face in our life, we’re going to have to put down the baggage. We cannot walk into battle carrying a heavy load that we are not meant to carry. If we want to see victory, we must first surrender the baggage. Beloved, I know that is not an easy thought for many of us. Some of us are carrying a huge amount of baggage. We are like Saul, still hiding in the midst of all of our baggage, hoping no one will notice us.
Unfortunately, some of us have amassed a significant amount of baggage and it is hard to know how to give it up. But like David, we must learn to put it in the hands of the One who knows how best to deal with it. “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble and heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” Matthew 11:28-30.
Jesus, the greatest Baggage Keeper, offers peace and comfort to those who are tired of carrying their heavy burdens. My friend, follow David’s example and put your baggage in His care. Let Him take care of it for you. His shoulders are better equipped to carry it. Surrender it to Him and you will find strength that only He can give you. And, my friend, you cannot defeat the enemies you face while carrying all your baggage. You cannot run to the battle and hold on to your baggage at the same time.
However, perhaps you have no desire to enter the battle. Maybe you are tired and weary and prefer to stay at the battles edge. May I share something I have learned? Giants do not give up; they do not go away. Giants must be faced. It is only by facing your giants that you will finally defeat them. Child of the Most High God, put your baggage down at His feet and let Him give you the courage to run to the battle line! Who knows what victory awaits you if you do!
I don’t know about you, my friend, but I have spent far too much time hiding in the baggage instead of running to the battle line. Maybe it’s time to drop off some baggage and run to the battle line. It isn’t easy, but then again, battles never are. But maybe, just maybe, it is time to “fight the good fight of faith” (1 Tim. 6:12). You can do this; He will help you! “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God…” (Eph. 6:1-2a).
Let go of your baggage. Put it in the hands of the One who died for you. You can trust that kind of love to take care of what concerns you. Give it to Him, beloved. Suit up and run to the battle line. “Making the most of your time, because the days are evil” Eph. 5:16. My friend, now more than ever, we need some people who are willing to leave their baggage behind and run to the battle line! The world desperately needs some people ready to do battle.
“…remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses” Neh. 4:14b. Your loved ones need you to fight for them, dear one. They need you to go to the battle line for them. May we all have the courage of David to leave our baggage behind so that we can run to the battle line. “Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm” Eph. 6:13.
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:7
For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ. 2 Cor. 10:3-5
Cast your burden on the LORD, and He will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved. Psalm 55:22
Casting all you care upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
Katrina Douglas
5/21/21
