An Awkward Position

1 Samuel 12
      Samuel sure seems to be in an awkward spot in 1 Samuel 12.  The leaders of Israel have told him that he is getting old; they have said that they don't want his sons to lead them; and they've asked for a king.  Yet, Samuel is going to be around for a long time. (His death isn't recorded until 1 Samuel 25.)  It sure seems like Israel is putting him into retirement early.  Further, his sons are no great shakes, but Samuel sees very clearly the negative consequences of a kingdom--forced labor, a military draft, and high taxes.
      Samuel comes across a little bitter in the opening verses of the chapter.  For this reason, his words of judgment and the thunderstorm that threatens the wheat harvest comes across as a little self-centered and petulant--the prophetic equivalent of 'I'll take my ball and go home.'  Yet, at the end of the chapter, he announces good news to them:  God is faithful to His promises and will preserve Israel for His own name's sake.  And he refuses to sin against the Lord by refusing to pray for them.
      I can think of any number of pastors who have felt like they're caught in a similarly awkward position, and I'll admit that I've felt like it from time to time over the years.  They feel like they've worked diligently, preached truthfully, warned and consoled.  And they feel like no one has listened or like they are getting blamed for things that aren't their fault.  But the ministry doesn't leave room for petulance.  No matter how bad a pastor's week may have been, the weekend comes and one must preach good news and pray.
      A pastor's work might be awkward sometimes, but there's a blessed necessity in it.  Paul once said, "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice" (Ephesians 4:31). Pastors can't nurse grudges because their calling doesn't have space for it.  Every Christian should take that to heart.  After all, Jesus tells every Christian to pray for his enemies.  It is an awkward thing to do, especially when one is feeling ill-used.  But it's an eminently Christ-like thing to do, because 'while we were still sinner, Christ died for us' (Rom. 5:8).