Sin made God turn his back against King Saul when he needed him most. God refused to answer Saul’s prayer during a war, and he did not direct him on how to handle an approaching war. Therefore, Saul compromised his standard and he sought a substitute medium; he approached a spirit medium for directions, but all to the detriment of his soul! King Saul eventually lost the battle, and he died through the enemies’ assaults. The scripture reported King Saul’s ordeal,
“Then the Philistines gathered together, and came and encamped at Shunem. So Saul gathered all Israel together, and they encamped at Gilboa. When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly. And when Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him, either by dreams or by Urim or by the prophets. Then Saul said to his servants, “Find me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her.” And his servants said to him, “In fact, there is a woman who is a medium at En Dor.” So Saul disguised himself and put on other clothes, and he went, and two men with him; and they came to the woman by night. And he said, “Please conduct a séance for me, and bring up for me the one I shall name to you.” (1 Samuel 28:4-8)…“Now the Philistines fought against Israel; and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell slain on Mount Gilboa. Then the Philistines followed hard after Saul and his sons. And the Philistines killed Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua, Saul’s sons. The battle became fierce against Saul. The archers hit him, and he was severely wounded by the archers. Then Saul said to his armorbearer, “Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised men come and thrust me through and abuse me.” But his armorbearer would not, for he was greatly afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword and fell on it. And when his armorbearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell on his sword, and died with him. So Saul, his three sons, his armorbearer, and all his men died together that same day” (1 Samuel 31:1-6).
Lesson:
Sin irritates God, and it would force him to make a tough decision against his own children. Since God requires that all people must obey him, he would not turn around and bless a disobedient child! The Creator will bless any individual or a group of people who obey his instructions, but he would enforce his justice on the disobedient children. Therefore, all people ought to fear God and obey his instructions so that they can prosper.
Prayer:
Dear God, please do not let me provoke you with sin so that I will not incur your terrible judgment. Do not let me abuse your grace, but help me to duly follow all your instructions so that it can be well with me on earth. Also, please help me to repent from my sins whenever I realize that I have sinned against you. For in the name of Jesus Christ I make my requests. Amen.
