January 17, 2012
Today's Photograph . . . . Young Mule Buck (NPS) |
I Samuel 15:13-14
Then Samuel went to Saul, and Saul said to him, "Blessed are you of the LORD! I have performed the commandment of the LORD." But Samuel said, "What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?" (NKJV)
Thoughts
During a hunter education class the silver-haired instructor shared his story:
He was hunting mule deer in southern Arizona, and had hiked a few hours into the back country when he located his prize. The largest mule deer he had ever seen in his decades of hunting was standing broadside on a hillside a few hundred yards away. With great care, he made his shot and knew immediately that it was well placed.
The deer staggered and went up and over the hill. He waited awhile to allow the deer to settle before tracking it. He was on in years, his tracking slower due to his bad knees; and even more so because of the rough terrain.
By the time he had reached his prize a few hours later, another hunter had found the deer and tagged it. The young hunter knew he had tagged someone else's deer, but claimed it was his!
The seasoned hunter congratulated the young hunter and walked slowly back to his truck.
The deer staggered and went up and over the hill. He waited awhile to allow the deer to settle before tracking it. He was on in years, his tracking slower due to his bad knees; and even more so because of the rough terrain.
By the time he had reached his prize a few hours later, another hunter had found the deer and tagged it. The young hunter knew he had tagged someone else's deer, but claimed it was his!
The seasoned hunter congratulated the young hunter and walked slowly back to his truck.
(Brett M)
Action Point
When Samuel approached King Saul, the king said that he had carried out the Lord's instructions--to attack the Amalekites, destroy them and all their livestock, sparing nothing. But when Samuel asked why there was the sound of sheep and cattle, King Saul knew he had been caught in his lie. Saul may have thought that keeping the best sheep and cattle for a sacrifice was all right, but he was deceiving himself. The young hunter who had taken another person's harvest was, also, deceiving himself.
Disobedience usually leads to dishonesty as we begin to rationalize our behavior to ourselves, to our family, and, ultimately, to God.
We must strive to be obedient to God and honest with ourselves. King Saul lost his kingdom because of his disobedience and lying. What consequences do we endure because of our disobedience and dishonesty?
We must strive to be obedient to God and honest with ourselves. King Saul lost his kingdom because of his disobedience and lying. What consequences do we endure because of our disobedience and dishonesty?
Sportsmen's Tip of the Day
Strive to tag your downed game as soon as possible. But if another hunter claims your harvest, simply congratulate him and move on. No game is worth an altercation, especially one in which both parties are armed.
