READ: 1 Samuel 15
In chapter 15, Saul’s demise
is set in stone. Saul is now walking his own trajectory. First, though he was
explicitly commanded to destroy everyone
and everything in the defeat of the
Amalekites, he kept King Agag and the best of the livestock alive. When
confronted, Saul is very casual about it all, claiming that he wants to
sacrifice the best to God. But, Samuel rebukes him, God did not ask for
sacrifice; He commanded total destruction. Saul’s pride has hardened him to
what God desires. In arrogance, he has attempted to appear godly while his
heart remains unsubmitted. And when he finally confesses, he is still more
concerned about his own image than sorrow over his sin. And so, by the
authority of God, Samuel declares that God has rejected Saul as king over
Israel. In chapter 13, God declared that Saul’s kingship would not continue,
meaning his family line would not carry on leadership. Here, it is declared
that God is rejecting Saul personally
as king.
God is merciful, but He is
also working out a plan. Saul failed in his task, and missed his opportunity.
However, we know God to be forgiving. Moses was not allowed entrance into the
Promised Land because of his sin, yet he still ended his life well. Saul is not
dying; this is not the end of his life. Though this news is painful and the
realization of failure overwhelming, Saul still has years of choices before
him. He may glean from the wisdom of the patriarchs before him and end well as
a king who learned from his mistakes and rendered his heart to the Lord, or he
can continue down his self-focused path which will lead him to a lonely death.
We have been blessed with the
opportunity and ability to choose. Even when our circumstances are terrible and
uncontrollable; even when we realize we have failed miserably; even when our
sin is made prominently aware to us – at these times we have choices laid out
before us. Our God is for us. Christ died for us while we were still sinners – our failings will never come as a
shock to Him who found Adam and Eve hiding shamefully in the Garden. So how
will we respond in the face of the unexpected and unfortunate? Often it is a
question of humility: Will we lay down our pride and come before our Father
(and perhaps others) in humble repentance? Will we ask for His help in the
areas we cannot control? Will we accept the wonderful gift that “while we were sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans
5:8), or will we trample on that beautiful truth by doing things our own way
and trusting in our own power?
Saul is not a character to
emulate, but he is someone to learn from. This chapter speaks of God’s regret.
Twice it says that He regretted making Saul king and once it says that it is
impossible for God to lie or feel regret. Which is it then? Does He regret or
doesn’t He? God is a Sovereign King. There is nothing that catches Him off
guard. Every plan He makes is perfect and will ultimately result in His glory.
Even Saul’s failure will ultimately glorify God: everything God says through
Samuel will come true, proving His word faithful; Saul’s son will stand as a
wonderful friend to the next king, bringing glory to God; and the next king
will be the greatest king who will receive an incredible promise – something
that could have happened to Saul, but will nonetheless happen without him. God
does not regret the course of His plans. What He does regret (feel sorrow over)
are the choices that Saul makes and will continue to make. It is sorrowful for
God – a Father – to watch His child walk away from the relationship He offers.
Let us learn from this sad story that our God is with us even in our hard and
painful falls. He is offering us a hand of help; He is “the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you,
Do not fear; I will help you.” (Isaiah 41:13)
JOURNALING AND PRAYER
1. Take
some time to meditate on the two verses mentioned here: Isaiah 41:13 &
Romans 5:8. What does God want to remind you of? How can you align yourself to
these truths today?
2. Perhaps
you have had some unfortunate or difficult circumstances cross your path
recently. Perhaps not. Whatever the case, ask God to reveal to you the choices
that are before you today. Take time to think about what is the best choice to
make.
3. In
prayer, ask God to be glorified through your life today. Pray this also for
your family/spouse/kids, that they would seek to glorify God in all they do –
that they would focus on this today instead of on other things, people or
opinions.
