Short and Long Term Benefits

Scripture: Then Saul said to Michal, “Why have you deceived me like this, and sent my enemy away, so that he has escaped?” And Michal answered Saul, “He said to me, ‘Let me go! Why should I kill you?’” 1 Samuel 19:17

Observation: Saul is plotting to kill David, and when Michal finds out, she works an entire plan to save David. She warns David (v11), helps him sneak out of his house (v12), buys time by making it appear he is sick in bed (v13), and lies to Saul's men about David's condition (v14). When Saul learns of the deception, however, Michal blames David, claiming that David threatened to kill her if she prevented his escape.

Michal does what is right to make her husband pleased, then lies about it to her father to appease him. There was no real threat against her - it is unlikely Saul would have harmed his own daughter as he has never shown anger toward any family member other than David - yet she places the blame on David for her actions. It seems in fact that David had little to do with any of this. He snuck out when warned, but all other actions were Michal's, yet in the end it results in more anger directed at David. This is repeated throughout David's and Saul's interaction ... Saul gets jealous and thus angry, David escapes, so Saul gets angrier. There is no action David can take that both preserves his life and does not simultaneously increase his struggle and strife.

Application: This seems like the way of faith sometimes ... the very real fact that demonstrating faith is guaranteed to make life more difficult. Certainly that isn't true, as there is plenty of evidence that faith and faithful living produces better results than sin and reckless living. However, it certainly is true that much of the benefit will be long-term. For David, that was future kingship. For me, that is eternal life.

I don't want to be Michal, a person who simply does what is best for them in the moment, and who therefore finds short-term favor from both her husband and her father but will eventually face loss and shame. I would rather try to accept the hardships now, and seek God's smile.

Prayer: Lord, you know the darkness of my mind from time to time. I struggle, and I am struggling today. Please help me to be anchored to you and to my faith in Jesus Christ. I do not know what else to do. May I simply obey you today. Amen.