Accepting Consequences

Verse of the Day: 1 Samuel 14:43, Then Saul said to Jonathan, “Tell me what you have done.” And Jonathan told him, and said, “I only tasted a little honey with the end of the rod that was in my hand. So now I must die!”

Here is an example of something we very rarely see today. Jonathan, even though his actions violated a foolish command, which led to the making of an even more foolish vow by King Saul (v. 39), took responsibility for his actions and accepted the consequences of those actions, which were done in ignorance. There are many of us today who would say, if this were happening real-time, that Jonathan should speak up and defend his position because it really was not his fault. Any one of us would argue the point, tooth and nail, and insist that the consequences of our actions be forgiven. Sadly, what we see here is that King Saul was too proud to admit that he issued a foolish command. Once he found out that his own son was the one that violated his commanded, he doubled down and continued to avoid admitting his error. How often have we allowed our own pride to keep us from reversing a decision we knew was unwise and foolish? I am sure that many of us have even allowed others to suffer the consequences of our decision, even after we realized we were wrong, because we were too proud to admit it. It is always the old “blame game” we play with God, pointing the finger at someone else, as Adam did when he blamed God for giving him Eve, who disobeyed God’s command, for which Adam was responsible for keeping (Genesis 3). The position that Jonathan took was actually an honorable position before God. He was willing to suffer, even death, for something he did not do intentionally, and something that was not sinful to do, in and of itself. 1 Peter 2:19-20 tells us, “For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.” A willingness to take personal responsibility for our actions is a rare quality today, even amongst us followers of Jesus. What is even harder to find is someone who is willing to suffer quietly, without reviling others when we are falsely accused, even though this is the example Jesus set for us in dealing with false accusations or dealing with situations where we could potentially suffer wrongfully for a misunderstanding. 1 Peter 2:21-23, “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 22 ‘Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth’; 23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously”. What was the result of Jonathan taking the stand he took, in accepting the consequences of his action, even if wrongly judged for it? God honored his decision and used the people to stand up on his behalf and save his life (v. 45). When Saul, who showed more mercy toward wicked King Agag in chapter 15 than he did his own son, the people came to Jonathan’s defense. I am sure that Jonathan did not know whether anyone would come to his defense, but he was honorable in trusting the Lord to intervene, somehow, on his behalf. So often, we are quick to speak on our own behalf, usually because our pride is what is driving our thoughts and words, but the Word of God tells us in Proverbs 27:2, “Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.” It is very difficult to stand by and allow ourselves to be falsely accused or judged, but the most honorable stance we can take before God is to simply accept the consequences of our actions, even if we did something ignorantly, than to go out of our way to prove we were right, get angry, speak words that turn into corrupt speech, ruin our testimony and dishonor Jesus. This is especially true if we are persecuted for our faith. It is more of an honor to suffer for doing right than it is to patiently endure hard consequences for our own wrong actions. Jonathan showed that he was far more honorable than his own father, the king, who should have been humble enough to admit his wrong and reverse his foolish command and oath. Instead, Jonathan chose to accept both responsibility for his actions and the consequences that came with that decision, even though it could have cost him his life. How many of us can truly say that our testimony would shine that brightly in a similar situation?

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).