The losses of Jonathan and Saul serve as reminders that Israel needed more than a man to hope in. In the same way, we can’t ultimately put our hope in human leaders, no matter how faithful they are. In fact, even on their best days, pastors can’t help but disappoint the flocks they love. Therefore, we need to see that while not all leaders end up disgraced in their sin, all fail to live with perfect righteousness, and all fail to bring about the “victory” we need. Christ is our only hope.

I’m not a great repairman. In fact, my first strategy when faced with something broken is to click the order button on Amazon Prime. Out with the old, in with the new. 

Unfortunately, we’re tempted to apply the same strategy to the church. Tired of your pastor? Find a new one. Insulted by a church member? Go somewhere else. Hear about a church with more seats, better music, and bigger programs? Jump ship and enjoy the upgrade. 

I’m speaking flippantly, but the problem is real. What if your pastor plunges into sexual sin? What if a fellow member bludgeons your heart after you finally open up about an ongoing struggle? What if the congregation begins to teeter in its commitment to the Word of God or finds itself lost in a civil war over a building project?

As someone who grew up in the church and now pastors one, I’ve seen it go both ways: churches hurting Christians and Christians hurting the church. How do we deal with these disappointing realities?

I’ve found great encouragement in an ancient story about failure in 1 Samuel 31. In an avalanche of disaster, the Israelites’ leader, King Saul, brings about devastation for all of Israel. And yet, God didn’t abandon his people. This Old Testament story speaks to our contemporary temptations to bail on the church. 

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