Message:
What is your automatic instinct when facing adversity? Run, flee, panic, hide? Whether we want to admit it or not, desperation often brings out our true nature. We may convince ourselves we're as bold as Katniss Everdeen or as brave as Captain America, but in reality, we may be just as frightened as the Israelites were when fighting against the Philistines (1 Samuel 17).
Saul, King of Israel, had won many battles before warring against the Philistines. His army seemed unstoppable, for nothing could hold them down. With Saul leading, they saw victory after victory, so what made this fight any different? Three words: pride, disobedience, and fear. In 1 Samuel 13:8 - 13, we see a glimpse of Saul's pride rising within him: "He [Saul] waited seven days, the time appointed by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and the people were scattering from him. So Saul said, 'Bring the burnt offering here to me, and the peace offerings.' And he offered the burnt offering. As soon as he had finished offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came. And Saul went out to meet him and greet him. Samuel said, 'What have you done?' And Saul said, ‘When I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines had mustered at Michmash, I said, 'Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the favor of the Lord.' So I forced myself and offered the burnt offering” (1 Samuel 13:8-13).
This moment was very stressful for Saul. His people were scattering in a time of war. Sadly though, previous God-given victories caused Saul to trust more in his ability to lead rather than God’s. As shown above, he was not after the will of the Father but after "the favor of the Lord." He desired God's miraculous power but not necessarily God himself.
Looking at our own lives, how often do we do what Saul did? We encounter a stressful situation and hastily pray to God, only seeking solutions, not God himself. Saul's pride was that he wanted God to benefit him for his success rather than for God’s glory.
Saul's hastily action to seek the Lord's favor was a stepping stone to his ultimate fall. As Proverbs 16:18 says, "Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall." A few chapters later, 1 Samuel 15, Samuel the Prophet tells Saul a mission from the Lord: "Now go and strike Amalek and devote to destruction all that they have. Do not spare them, but kill both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.”
Although it was a strong message, the Lord was clear- do not spare them. But Saul took what the Lord said and partly obeyed: "And Saul took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive and devoted to destruction all the people with the edge of the sword. But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep and of the oxen and of the fattened calves and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them. All that was despised and worthless they devoted to destruction” (1 Samuel 15:8-9).
It seems that Saul and the Israelites perceived that some of the Amalekites had good in them. Why then should God’s people destroy them if they could have been used as sacrifices to the Lord (1 Samuel 15:21)? Because God had already declared these people unclean; therefore, though Saul and the Israelites saw them as blameless, the Lord knew the Amalekites were unholy.
We see ourselves doing this countless times. "Oh, this movie is not satanic, so it's okay." But does it glorify God? "The song only said a few cuss words." But what is it idolizing? Sadly, Saul allowed man’s perspective to rule his actions instead of humbling himself and submitting to God's judgment.
The saddest part about Saul's story is his deep fear of man rather than reverent fear of God! When Saul finally confessed to Samuel about his actions, he said, "I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice" (1 Samuel 15:24). As Christians, we must remember that God's opinion matters way more than man's (Look at Luke 12:5). Had Saul's heart been fixed on the One above, he would have understood the Lord's reverence. Yet, because his eyes remained on the Israelites, their approval became more important to him than God's.
As Christians, we should continually examine what our eyes and hearts are following. Are we more concerned with worldly passions or Heaven’s mission?
Even though Saul acknowledged his disobedience, he never repented. He never turned his eyes away from man and set them wholly on God. This is precisely why all of Israel was frightened when they saw the champion, Goliath of Gath. How could a human of their size defeat a giant like him? It's impossible. And it is, without God. As Christians, we must understand that everything comes from God. Therefore, we cannot do anything on our own. Saul's failure was that he thought he could defeat an army with God’s name and favor, but the Lord gives favor (victory, protection, etc.) to those who seek and trust in Him.
Reflection:
As you finish this message, reflect on your own life.
What areas do you need to trust God more and/or surrender control in?
Ask Holy Spirit to help you let go of these areas.
Look up verses and stories about trusting God. Declare these Scriptures over your life.
What is your heart after God’s favor or God’s covenant?
Ask God to show you your true motives and be honest with yourself. Why do you worship? Why do you pray? What’s your reason for serving God?
Are confession and repentance a continual practice in your walk with the Lord?
Confession means to tell God when you’ve sinned. Repentance means to turn away and strive not to do that sin again. This is how we receive forgiveness.
Take a moment and tell God the sins you know you’ve committed. Then in your heart pray to truly turn away from these actions.
We hope you enjoyed. Please comment below and thank you for reading.
Click here to read Saul’s Defense (Part 2 of Finding Your Inner David in the Face of Goliath).
Carley Hale is an SAU graduate from West Texas. She currently serves for AmeriCorps VISTA and is a leader for ISI Ministries. In her free time, Carley enjoys reading, going on adventures with her boyfriend Briston, spending time with friends and family, and snuggling with her cat Tux.
You can follow Carley on Instagram @_carleeyyyy_.
You can follow ISI Ministries on Instagram @isi_ministries.