FRIDAY October 4, 2019
Predicted Disaster
Then Samuel said: “So why do you ask me, seeing the Lord has departed from you and has become your enemy? And the Lord has done for Himself as He spoke by me. For the Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, David. Because you did not obey the voice of the Lord nor execute His fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore the Lord has done this thing to you this day. Moreover the Lord will also deliver Israel with you into the hand of the Philistines. And tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The Lord will also deliver the army of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.”
1 Samuel 28:16-19
God had allowed Samuel to come back from the dead for only one reason, to pronounce judgment on Saul. God revealed things to Samuel. Samuel rebuked Saul by reminding him that God was no longer for him. God was now His enemy.
Interestingly, those in Abraham’s bosom, one of two compartments in Sheol where the dead went before Christ’s death and resurrection, could still speak for God. Samuel told Saul of God’s judgment. Saul and his sons would die in the battle against the Philistines. The reason for God’s judgment was his disobedience. Who was affected by his sin? His family.
Some people may ask, “Is Saul in heaven?” Only God knows. It would seem that Saul never made it into the kingdom of God. Jonathan, his son, did for sure, but as for Saul, he may have been separated from God––tragic.
It is important to understand that our sin does not only affect us, but it deeply affects our families as well. It is often our spouse and children who suffer. Even friends and other people who know us are affected. Sin has a domino effect. That is all a part of the law of sowing and reaping. We have to pay the consequences of our sin (Galatians 6:7-9).
If I hate sin because of the punishment I have not repented of sin. I merely regret that God is just.
~C. H. Spurgeon~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!