October 31, 2020
What does it say?
The Lord used the Philistines to bring judgment on Saul. After he died in battle along with his three sons, David became king.
What does it mean?
Samuel’s prophetic words to Saul were coming true. Because of his sin, Saul and his sons died in battle and Israel was taken captive by the Philistines. King Saul was guilty of unfaithfulness to the Lord in three areas. He rebelled and did not keep God’s Word. He consulted a medium for guidance, which was prohibited by God. Also, he failed to inquire of the Lord. The consequences of Saul’s sin had a devastating impact on the nation and his family. The Lord requires faithfulness from those who represent Him.
How should I respond?
What you do matters. What does your faithfulness to God look like in the areas where Saul failed? First, Scripture is a Christian’s final authority for life. Obey God, wait patiently, and trust His Word rather than your own ideas of how to handle a situation. Next, where do you go for guidance when you can’t find specific direction from the Bible? Consulting mediums or spiritists is against God’s will for a believer. Look to see if God has given you a spiritual mentor who loves the Bible and lives according to His Word. Finally, seek God and pray about every decision and situation. There is nothing too small or too big. Your faithfulness to God matters … to you and to those around you.|For further reading, 1 Chronicles 8:1-9:21, 35-44