Read 1 Samuel 31
Be Still
6 So Saul and his
three sons and his armor-bearer and all his men died together that same day.
WHEN the Bible introduces us to Saul he is described with
very special traits, unique in Israel. Kish
had a son named Saul, an impressive young man without equal among the
Israelites — a head taller than any of the others. (1 Samuel 9:2)
Physically Saul was special in Israel’s eyes, and as king, he became rich and
powerful among men.
But Saul’s kingship
was a disaster because he failed to humbly live in the Kingdom of God. Pride
was one reason for Saul’s downfall. When anointed as king, he stayed at a home,
acting only in a crisis to defend his people. When Samuel directed him to wait
for his arrival to sacrifice, he impatiently took matters in his own hands.
When he stood shaking before the giant Goliath, he was willing to let a boy
fight his battle. When he saw God’s hand on David, he violently pursued David
for many long years. On the last days of his life, he sought evil spirits
instead of the Spirit of God.
That’s what pride
will do to us. It will cause us to strive to create circumstances and form life
as we desire. We will spend endless energy pursuing things that harm us or keep
us from God. Pridefully we put “our way” above God’s way, thinking we can
control our own destiny if we work a little harder or get busier.
Saul became lost
in the whirlwind of self. The only way out of the storm was form him to sit
down and say the words David would one day write: “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalms 46:10)
A Moment’s Thought: God still desires to speak to you.
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