[399 words]
“So Saul died for his unfaithfulness which he had committed against the Lord, because he did not keep the word of the Lord, and also because he consulted a medium for guidance. But he did not inquire of the Lord; therefore He killed him, and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse” (1 Chronicles 10:13).
Saul lost his physical life and his physical kingdom because of his unfaithfulness, not keeping the word of God and for seeking guidance from mankind (a witch/medium) instead of God Himself. He also lost his spiritual life and spiritual kingdom for the same reasons. Is there an application for us? You bet!
God rewards His people for their faithfulness. Hebrews 11:6 tells us that we must have faith to please God and that He rewards those “who diligently seek Him.” Saul had not been diligent about anything concerning Godly things. We must seek first the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33) to stay in the kingdom.
We must keep God’s word until the day we die. We can’t treat the Bible as a suggestion book. Saul received commands to annihilate the Amalekites. He was to kill men, women, children, young, old, animals, basically anything moving. Yet, he kept back the choice animals and the king. He did the parts he agreed with. That’s not keeping God’s word at all. There are times that mankind keeps what they want of the Bible and ignores the rest. We can’t keep our “kingdom” that way. That is how we alienate ourselves from God. It’s our choice. God doesn’t change.
Saul went to a medium for some advice, prophecy, his future, etc. The scriptures say this was another reason that God killed him and had taken his kingdom. He didn’t look to God for His wisdom! This also should tell us that God hadn’t given up on Saul in that Saul could’ve stopped doing what he was doing and seek God. He may not have kept his physical kingdom but he definitely could’ve saved his spiritual one. We also can’t look to mankind for the way in which we should go. Man doesn’t have the capability to direct his own steps. God will hold us responsible for supplanting a human’s wisdom for His.
Value and treasure your spiritual kingdom! Live for the reward/inheritance. It is going to be so worth it.
Chris Moore
Clarendon, TX