Skip to main content

Saul's Slippery Slope

Who doesn't love an “underdog story” where there's a nearly impossible challenge overcome by an unlikely hero? We often attribute such news to the example of David and Goliath. It is encouraging to read about a faithful and humble boy being anointed king and then defeating an enemy that was literally of gigantic proportions. In Sunday schools across America, there are numerous lessons taught on the call and courage of David. In light of this, we don't hear much about his predecessor. All that some Christians know is that Saul was an angry and jealous king who tried to have David killed multiple times.
They don't realize that even Saul's back-story was one of lowliness. He came out of one of the most insignificant households in Israel (1 Samuel 9:21). His family was poor and his tribe small. True he was very tall and handsome, but in his own eyes, he was unnoticeable (1 Samuel 15:17). Though he was anointed king, he was not pridefully eager to accept the royal role placed on him (1 Samuel 10:22). At one point, Saul was led by God's Spirit to prophesy alongside Israel's prophets (1 Samuel 10:11)! He was only thirty when he was appointed king, yet he still showed a measure of mercy and discernment when faced with ridicule and disrespect over his position (1 Samuel 10:27).
So what happened to this lowly, young man? What path did he choose that ended up hardening his heart and diminishing his passion for the ways of God? Near the end of Saul's life, you are left with an image of a crooked, embittered, fearful, and savage man. It may take a few articles to unpack the needful warnings that emanate out of his example, but for our learning, we must not gloss over his life. In the coming weeks, as we learn about his dangerous decisions, we must place Paul's warning in 1 Corinthians 1:11-12 at the forefront of our minds, “Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.” (ESV) What is evident is that at one point Saul's heart was established in meekness and trust and at another he began to allow the weed of arrogant, self confidence to take root within his life. Our strength to stand will only come from the power of God's might (Ephesians 6:10). Remember, only God is able to make rivers flow from a rock and make water a firm foundation to walk on. 
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Madam Darkshade continued

My most despicable Marah, The abyss of my heart has grown beyond measure! Everything your sister has told me about your efforts - how undeniably successful they are - is just another reminder as to why I always saw myself in you. So, that foolish grungy has finally declared himself as bishop. Naturally, during their meeting, there was tremendous conflict and a choosing of sides. Classic. It reminds me of the struggle at Corinth, when so many fought over who was on Paul's side and who was on Apollos' side. Of course, you are much too young to know what I am referring to! Now, I must remind you that there is still much work to be done. Divide and conquer. The ecclessia is split, therefore, waste no time instilling pride and hatred. I know you are enticing our self exalted puppet to start his own assembly, which is good, but before he does, through slander and lies, he must cripple those who withstood him. Make him feel betrayed. As if he were a great captain who ...
1 comment
Read more

The Devil Wears a Tie (Continued)

Of all the ways the devil will tempt a person, catering to one's vanity is his favorite means to get them to fall. After all, before the inception of time, he also succumbed to pride. He believed he had an inward right to the heavenly throne, and through promulgating the potential of self exaltation to other angelic beings, he led a massive insurrection against the Almighty. There was absolutely no chance of a “successful rebellion”, but reason often dissipates when one is steeped in prideful bitterness. Simply put, the devil began to hate God, for being, God. This attitude of entitlement parades itself in every heart. We may be able to mask it for a while, but given enough hardships and displeasure, we often become the corrupted clay, vilifying the ways of God and distrusting the commands of His word (Isaiah 29:16). The apostle Paul's warning to believers at Ephesus was,  “Don't give the devil any opportunity to work  (Ephesians 4:27).” Yet, in the garden of Eden, we ...
Post a Comment
Read more

WORLDCLASS SCRUTINIZERS

Lord willing, I will continue to post the "letters of Madam Darkshade", but for now, I am posting something I wrote a few days ago regarding criticism and scrutiny. Romans 14:1-3 , “ Welcome people who are weak in faith, but don't get into an argument over differences of opinion. Some people believe that they can eat all kinds of food. Other people with weak faith believe that they can eat only vegetables. People who eat all foods should not despise people who eat only vegetables. In the same way, the vegetarians should not criticize people who eat all foods, because God has accepted those people (GWT).” 1 Corinthians 13:7a, “Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person... (AMP)” We have lost the art of giving someone the benefit of the doubt. In today's society, perhaps even more in the church, people have become avid critics. At some point in life, we all experience both sides of the ju...
3 comments
Read more