Disobedience and Lingering Sorrow [King Saul and Samuel the Prophet]

The consequences of disobedience always produce regret and sorrow.

The Israelites desired a king to rule over them to be like the pagan nations. Although God disagreed with their demands, He gave in, and Saul was appointed their first king. But Saul was haughty and disobedient, always doing as he pleased.

When we read a book, the unpredictable plot and characters pull us into the story. We can immerse ourselves without prior knowledge of the events or the ending. And when the story gives us an unexpected twist, making us crave for more, it is then that we agree the writer has authored a great book.

“Now the word of the LORD came to Samuel, saying, “I greatly regret that I have set up Saul as king, for he has turned back from following Me and has not performed My commandments. And it grieved Samuel, and he cried out to the LORD all night” (1 Samuel 15:10-11).

The Unexpected Twist: Although Samuel was aware that King Saul had a history of continuous rebellion against God, it is apparent that the prophet did not expect God to end Saul’s reign as king. Verse 11 tells us that Samuel cried all night when God told him the consequences of Saul’s actions.

Historically, God used prophets to communicate His commands to the anointed kings and the nation of Israel. Yet, it appears that Samuel loved Saul as if he was his son. Why do we make that assumption? Because prophets knew their spiritual assignment as God’s messengers, they knew that disobedience to God brings consequences. Samuel was fully aware of God’s laws and His requirements of obedience. God is merciful, yet His justice is steadfast.

Despite being an anointed prophet, human emotions prevailed. With tears and prayers, Samuel interceded all night for a rebellious, unrepentant king. God did not change his mind. Justice said, “Enough is Enough!” God was aware of Saul’s stony heart of irreverent disregard and his rebellious nature. Then God reveals two more acts of Saul’s abject disobedience. In verses 12-23 of 1 Samuel chapter 15, there is a dialogue between Samuel and Saul regarding the king’s disobedience to both of God’s commands concerning the battle between Israel and the Amalekites.

Blaming Circumstances: Once exposed, Saul did what many of us do. He admitted his sin but blamed circumstances for his inability to obey God. “Then Saul said to Samuel, ‘I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord and your words because I feared the people and obeyed their voice. Now, therefore, please pardon my sin, and return with me, that I may worship the Lord'” (1 Samuel 15:24-25).

Abusing God’s Grace: Saul abused God’s grace. Yes, he confessed with words by admitting that he transgressed, but his heart was one of a prideful transgressor. “But Samuel said to Saul, ‘I will not return with you, for you have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you from being king over Israel'” (1 Samuel 15:26).

Samuel’s response appears stern and final, but in verse 35, we read of Samuel’s lingering sorrow: “And Samuel went no more to see Saul until the day of his death. Nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul, and the Lord regretted that He had made Saul king over Israel” (1 Samuel 15:35).

This story is filled with God’s regret, Saul’s confession by mouth, but possessing an unrepentant heart, which produced desensitization to sin, and the prophet Samuel’s dysfunctional emotional state of lingering sorrow.

Daily we are presented with temptations from Satan. Sometimes God allows us to pursue our disobedient desires without His intervention. We become comfortable in our sinful state and persuade ourselves that all is well because God has withheld the consequences of our disobedience. Yet, there is a quote, “You can do as you like, but not for as long as you like.” And God tells us, “The wages of sin is death.” From Adam and Eve, we recognize that physical death did not come immediately, but their loss is incomprehensible.

For the wayward believer, know that the consequences of disobedience will eventually arise. In God’s mercy, He attempts to bring us back to our senses. Our loving Father does not want us to perish. All-is-well suddenly changes into a significant loss. Throughout the Bible, we read about humanity’s disobedience, God’s warnings ignored, and the earth-shattering punishment that brings remorse and lingering sorrow.

Jesus gave us a priceless gift–His life for the perfect plan of Redemption. We do not have to continue in sin. Daily, we should pray King David’s prayer: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24).

Prayer: Father God, thank you for reaching out to save us from ourselves. We repent of our disobedience, not because we fear suffering consequences, but because we love You and are thankful for Your grace and mercy. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

What is God Waiting For?

I have lived long enough to remember sermons preached about Jesus’ Second Coming. We prayed, studied the Bible, helped those in need, and encouraged each other. Yes, we actively witnessed by passing out tracts and maintained the mindset of living in our forever, Heavenly home. Most importantly, we prayed for the Holy Spirit to search our hearts and lived every day as if Jesus was coming that very day.

Fast forward a few decades, and many devout Christians have fallen into the customized plans of Satan’s deception based on their apparent desires. No longer is the prevalent desire to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. In fact, once-a-week worship is the norm. Believers have changed their priorities–no longer proclaiming, “God is first in my life.” Involvement in dead-end relationships, chasing success and wealth, and fulfilling the desire to make life a paradise on earth is now the pursuit of happiness.

What is shocking are the social media posts [from Christians] concerning the decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade, who have been tricked into thinking that God is taking back America. Yet, they are ignoring or unaware of the fulfillment of the last day’s prophecies, propelling us toward the end of time. For those whose mindsets are in a comfort zone, read Matthew chapter 24, 2 Timothy chapter 3, and the book of Revelation.

What is God waiting for?

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

Yet, we are forewarned by Jesus in Matthew chapter 16 regarding the strict requirement to give up worldly pursuits and follow Him to receive the reward of eternal life.

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:24-26).

Jesus is aware that our struggle is real. So, He gave us the answer to receiving the Holy Spirit, who enables us to continue on the Path of Righteousness. Love God with everything you have!!! We have Divine Intervention available 24/7. Our journey of Sanctification–daily spiritual transformation into the character of Christ, leads us to be victorious overcomers: “Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.'”(Matthew 22:37).

There is no middle ground. “I know your deeds; you are neither cold nor hot. How I wish you were one or the other!” (Revelation 3:15). Study Revelation chapters 21 and 22. Become aware of the reward you are giving up for the temporary pleasures on earth that will be destroyed.

What is God waiting for? We serve a Good, Good Father God who is loving and long-suffering. He is waiting for you and me to surrender our hearts in obedience.

Prayer: God, we surrender our all to You. We ask to be anointed with the Holy Spirit, giving us wisdom, discernment, and the strength to recognize and resist temptation. In Jesus’ Worthy name, we pray. Amen.

Worshipping a Holy God

“Be Holy, because I am Holy. ( 1 Peter 1:16)

Our worship of God is a result of our perception of God. Because our life experiences shape our values and we are influenced and shaped by those experiences, our love and reverence for God will vary. But God does not leave us in the dilemma from being born in sin that having desperately wicked hearts places us in.

“Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them, ‘You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am Holy'” (Leviticus 19:2).

God gives us the foundation in the Scriptures to build our knowledge and relationship with Him. He teaches us using a straightforward description, “I am Holy.”

Jesus willingly became the sacrifice for the redemption of our sins. We have a spiritual connection with Jesus Christ, so there should be no variation in the meaning of holiness. Through prayer and study, we fully comprehend that God is Holy. We have Divine intervention ensuring that our understanding is in sync with who God says He is.

The influencers readily try to define our worship experience. Yet, we must remember that our relationship with God is 1:1. We will not receive our reward of eternal life [Revelation 22:12] based on collective worship. We cannot sing our way to God despite popular trending worship movements. God does not require us to experience the escalation of our emotions as an outward sign of worship.

When linked to Jesus Christ, our hearts receive the spiritual nutrients required for an in-depth relationship with our Creator. This is one of the Holy Spirit’s functions, which is why we pray for daily anointing [not reflected in speaking in unknown tongues or shouting holy dances]. From the Holy Spirit, we receive daily spiritual transformation of our hearts–minds that allows us to become holy.

Our worship reveals the love and adoration that we have for God. To worship Him is to reverence our Heavenly Father, who we will never fully understand. Yet, our love for Jesus Christ and daily repentance, surrender, and obedience allows us to invite the Holy Spirit to shower us daily with a Pentecost experience that draws us closer to God.

“But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him” (John 4:23).

Prayer: God, we desire a deeper relationship with You. We pray for the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Draw us closer to You, Jesus. In the Worthy Name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

The Dual Roles of Christianity

With exasperation, the nursing student stated, “I will be glad when learning is over,” to which the professor responded, “Then you have chosen the wrong profession. Nurses are forever students who are always learning to educate themselves and their patients.”

“My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge… (Hosea 4:6).

Christians are also forever Bible Students–diligently studying our Treasure Book [the Bible] and always seeking God through prayer to receive discernment and direction from our Teacher, the Holy Spirit. We are simultaneously students and teachers faithfully witnessing to those without knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Time invested in our relationship with Jesus Christ is priceless. “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work” (Revelation 22:12).

“Life is too valuable, too full of solemn, sacred responsibilities, to be wasted in pleasing self.” Ellen G. White

Prayer: God, we are not fulfilling our roles as students nor witnessing to others to teach them of Your love. We ask for forgiveness. As we study, anoint us with the Holy Spirit and give us wisdom and discernment of Your truth. In Jesus’ Worthy name, we pray. Amen.