When we disobey

The fall of Saul happened pretty rapidly.  And it reaches its depth here.

Unable to hear from God through prophets, priests, or dreams, he turns to a medium to try to call up Samuel’s spirit.

There is some debate among Bible scholars on whether Samuel actually appears or if a demon impersonating him appears.

I believe God intervened in this one instance and allowed Samuel to appear.  It is notable, however, that when God does, it is to pass judgment.  He by no means approves of the usage of mediums.

But as I read this passage, it reminds me of the consequences of willful, unrepentant disobedience.

First, God no longer speaks to us.

Why not?  Because we have already closed our ears to him.  And if we close our ears to him, and refuse to listen to him, he will stop speaking.

Time and again, Saul ignored God’s voice and his commands.  And it got to the point where God said, “Fine.  If you don’t want to listen to me, I’ll won’t bother you anymore.”

Second, it leads to fear.

Why?  Because instead of relying on God’s wisdom, we start relying on our own.  But soon we start to realize that our wisdom is not enough.  Particularly when we start to lose control of a situation.

And that’s what happened to Saul.  After ignoring God’s commands earlier, he now found himself in an impossible situation in which he desperately needed advice from God, but could not get it.

Third, sin begets more sin.

And in this case, Saul got so desperate, he sought out a medium, something he knew was wrong.

But with God not speaking, he was willing to do anything to get answers, even something he knew God condemned.

Finally, disobedience leads to death.

In Romans 6:23, it says, “For the wages of sin is death.” And the next day saw the end of Saul’s life.

How do we avoid becoming like Saul?

Keep a soft heart to God.  Believe that God knows best and wants our best.  Do the things he asks.  And when you do sin, be quick to repent.  Confess your sins, and ask God’s help to obey him.

And God says that if we do this, “he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”  (I John 1:9)

It’s strange.  When you see the sins of David, especially adultery and murder, Saul’s sins pale in comparison.

But the difference between the two was that Saul never did repent, and he ended up dying for it.  David did repent and was forgiven.

How about you?  What do you do when you disobey?