July 31, 2020

BIBLE READING: I Samuel 15:20-35
“And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.” I Samuel 15:22-23

So far, we have looked at King Saul and King David’s reaction and responsibility to sin. Today, we are going to look at their response to their sin. King Saul argued with Samuel which led to him blaming others for what he did. His pride and arrogance had consumed him so much it led to God not continuing his line as king, and eventually Saul’s throne. Saul’s final response, he starts to justify what he did. Saul tells Samuel he will use what animals are saved to sacrifice to the Lord. When really, God wanted everything destroyed. Throughout the Bible, when God commands for something to be done a certain way, He wants it to be accomplished that way for a purpose. Like Moses was commanded to speak to the rock, instead, out of anger Moses smote the rock (Numbers 20). Saul’s self-righteousness revealed his true heart rebellion that was developed in his life. That is why we must always be careful of pride in our life. Pride can develop to stubbornness which can cause self-righteousness to rebellion in our hearts.

On the other hand, King David in II Samuel 12, repented, took responsibility, and confessed his sin to the Lord. Through out Psalm 51, King David admits and confesses to God his sin, but he takes it a step further. In his confession, he askes for the Lord’s help. Which is a contrast difference to Saul. Psalm 51:10 “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” David asks the Lord to cleanse and forgive, but to fill him with a right spirit to honor Him! I am so thankful that I have a forgiving God, but a Savior that wants to use and fellowship with me. That even after my sin he forgives, cleanses, and fills me, if I humbly come to Him. Let us follow David’s example to humbly follow the Lord.

David Fulp II