Devotion
Be humble in victory
David Jacobs

World War I ended in 1918, and it took six months of negotiations for the warring countries to sign the Treaty of Versailles. The treaty forced Germany to take responsibility for the war in some ways, such as admitting "war guilt," paying substantial reparations and ceding large amounts of territories. It may have seemed like a great victory for the victorious powers, but the harsh terms of the treaty against Germany left them seething and feeling alienated from the rest of Europe. As we all may know, a few decades later, this burning resentment led to a second World War, and millions of lives lost.

Saul had lost his claim to the kingdom of Israel (1 Samuel 15) and grown jealous of David's success (1 Samuel 18). Saul and David had grown apart, and the kingdom of Israel had been split as Samuel predicted. In 1 Samuel 28, Saul uses a medium to speak to the deceased Samuel, who reiterates that Saul disobeyed God and will lose the kingdom, adding that his sons will soon join Samuel in the afterlife. Sure enough, the Philistines find him and his sons, killing his sons and forcing Saul to take his own life.

The Philistines desecrate Saul's body, cutting off his head, removing his armor, and fastened his body to a wall for people to see it. I think you can see the similarity between this grisly scene and the Treaty of Versailles: honoring a defeated opponent can help to bring peace, where mocking them will often lead to revenge. Be humble, even in victory.

Prayer

Precious Lord, your light shines in the darkness. Help me shine brightly, so that I, too, may help drive out darkness. Together, believers of Christ can drive out the darkness, violence, and arrogance that plague this life, and the darkness will not overcome it. I am humbled by your mercy, O God, and will follow the path laid before me to Heaven. Amen.