Who Do You Follow?
And when the men of Israel who were on the other side of the valley, and those who were on the other side of the Jordan, saw that the men of Israel had fled and that Saul and his sons were dead, they forsook the cities and fled; and the Philistines came and dwelt in them. - 1 Samuel 31:7
Look at the affect Saul’s life and death had, not only on his family but the entire nation of Israel. When the tribes on the other side of the Jordan saw the defeat of Israel and the death of Saul and his sons, they left their cities. They took off before the Philistines came in for them. Then, the Philistines took over their cities.
This was how Saul led the children of Israel. They no longer trusted in the Lord. Their eyes were on man, not God. The sins of Saul had drawn them away from the Lord. When he fell, they had nothing to hold onto. They had no hope without Saul and his sons.
This is a great tragedy, but we see it in the churches today. People are following men and not the Lord. It is tragic when a pastor falls in sin and the people are scattered, just like Israel when Saul fell.
When people fall away from the Lord because their pastor or another leader has fallen in sin, we know they were not following the Lord. They were following man, and man will fail us, but not God.
It is not only a wake-up call for believers but for the leaders. Remember, to whom much is given, much more is required. Do not be a leader unless you are willing to count the cost.
What or whom we worship determines our behavior.
~John Murray~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!