"The Wrong Road" March 8 Readings: 1 Samuel 28-31, Psalm 18
Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026
This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.
Bible Readings: 1 Samuel 28-31, Psalm 18
In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.
Background:
In this passage, we see the decline and fall of Saul, Israel's first king. He began with such potential but failed to obey God carefully and then became increasingly paranoid as he realized that God had withdrawn his blessing and given it to David.
In chapters 29 and 30, David's favor with the Philistines runs out, and he ends up at war with them. The first few verses of chapter 30 is one of my favorite passages. David returns from battle and finds his village routed. His men, angry at him because their possessions and families have been taken, turn on him and are considering killing him. David's reaction is telling. In 1 Samuel 30:6, "David found strength in the Lord." God gave him both strength and wisdom to lead his people back in the right direction.
Chapter 31 records the sad downfall of both Saul and his son Jonathan, David's closest friend.
In chapters 29 and 30, David's favor with the Philistines runs out, and he ends up at war with them. The first few verses of chapter 30 is one of my favorite passages. David returns from battle and finds his village routed. His men, angry at him because their possessions and families have been taken, turn on him and are considering killing him. David's reaction is telling. In 1 Samuel 30:6, "David found strength in the Lord." God gave him both strength and wisdom to lead his people back in the right direction.
Chapter 31 records the sad downfall of both Saul and his son Jonathan, David's closest friend.
Daily Devotional: The Wrong Road
So often, Saul had gotten the wisdom of God through the prophet Samuel. Now, Samuel was gone, and God was no longer speaking to Saul because of his sin. That didn't stop him from trying, though. In 1 Samuel 28, Saul needed some information. He saw the Philistine camp at Shunem and felt a surge of fear and panic inside. He needed advice. Should he fight them or not? So he inquired of the Lord, seeking God's wisdom and guidance.
And God said nothing.
So, Saul had a choice. He could repent of his sin and seek God's mercy and grace. Saul had sinned grievously and repeatedly - that was the reason that God would no longer guide him, but God responds to repentance. David had been anointed as the next king, but if Scripture teaches anything, it is that those who repent before God find mercy.
Saul chose a different path. He went to the foot of Mt. Tabor to a village named En-dor, where a medium still resided. In his better days, Saul had removed those who practiced the occult from Israel, but now he sought one out - how far had he fallen?
The strange encounter raises more questions than it answers - if Samuel was "absent from the body and present with the Lord," how on earth did he appear to the medium? It seems this might have been an anomalous moment in which God allowed what was normally either fake or satanic to be used to accomplish his purposes. What is clear is that Saul had once again chosen the dark path of sin.
In Saul's folly, he ignored this basic truth - you cannot gain God's wisdom unless you first seek God's mercy. You cannot bypass repentance and obedience and still hope to experience his hand of blessing. Yes, we relate to God based on his grace, but we cannot expect to know the joys of God's mercies while walking in rebellion and sin.
Duh!
Saul, like so many since him, has forgotten that basic truth. Our God is gracious, loving, and merciful, but those who flaunt his grace in rebellion and refuse to repent cannot expect to know that love!
And God said nothing.
So, Saul had a choice. He could repent of his sin and seek God's mercy and grace. Saul had sinned grievously and repeatedly - that was the reason that God would no longer guide him, but God responds to repentance. David had been anointed as the next king, but if Scripture teaches anything, it is that those who repent before God find mercy.
Saul chose a different path. He went to the foot of Mt. Tabor to a village named En-dor, where a medium still resided. In his better days, Saul had removed those who practiced the occult from Israel, but now he sought one out - how far had he fallen?
The strange encounter raises more questions than it answers - if Samuel was "absent from the body and present with the Lord," how on earth did he appear to the medium? It seems this might have been an anomalous moment in which God allowed what was normally either fake or satanic to be used to accomplish his purposes. What is clear is that Saul had once again chosen the dark path of sin.
In Saul's folly, he ignored this basic truth - you cannot gain God's wisdom unless you first seek God's mercy. You cannot bypass repentance and obedience and still hope to experience his hand of blessing. Yes, we relate to God based on his grace, but we cannot expect to know the joys of God's mercies while walking in rebellion and sin.
Duh!
Saul, like so many since him, has forgotten that basic truth. Our God is gracious, loving, and merciful, but those who flaunt his grace in rebellion and refuse to repent cannot expect to know that love!
Father, I come to you in repentance for my sin, which is so great. Show me your way, your grace and your wisdom.
Consider God's Word:
Be grateful today for God's relentless grace, that we do not live in the Old Testament economy when the Spirit could be removed as he was with Saul.
Still, remember the warnings to the churches in Asia Minor. God will discipline us if our obedience is careless. Examine your life to see where you stand with God.
Comments
Post a Comment