Saul – Godinterest

February 13, 2024February 20, 2024

Winners & Losers

After spending the night looking at the Super Bowl it made me think about winners and losers. In the Bible, Jonathan became a close friend of David. The Bible describes their friendship as becoming “one in spirit”, and “Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself”.

As the son of King Saul, Jonathan had every right to oppose his father’s warrior. Yet maybe Jonathan had seen things in his father that he did not want to imitate. Jonathan saw David as someone who had the same human hopes, dreams, and aspirations that he had. Jonathan did not dehumanize David as an enemy. Instead of looking with wary eyes of jealousy and suspicion against the young warrior, Jonathan extended generosity of heart, openness of mind, and a spirit of charity.

Today, as we consider winners and losers – David was a winner. He rose through the ranks like a stunning rookie rushing through the NFL. Soon people were not praising King Saul anymore; they were raving about the young sensation who was breaking records left and right. David changed the game. His victories went viral in Israel. All of this made Saul boil with jealousy. All he could see was that David was a threat to his throne. Saul dehumanised David and tried to kill him (the characteristics of a loser). But God had other plans, and if Saul tried to oppose them, he simply could not win.

Saul was very angry. . . . And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David. (1 Samuel 18:8-9).

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank you for making me a friend when I was your enemy. Father, please make me a winner for your sake. God help me to care about and love people who seem to be my enemies. Help me to live like you. In Christ’s name, Amen.

February 11, 2022February 11, 2022

Keep Your Obligations

In today’s scripture, David was in a better place when he asked whether anyone was left of the house of Saul. After many years of struggle, he had become king over Israel. David had secured Jerusalem as his city and had brought the ark of the covenant into it. The Lord had given David rest from his enemies and bought peace to Israel. On top of that, God had promised that a son of David would rule forever, a promise that would be fulfilled in Christ.

However, David had an obligation. Long before, David had made a covenant with Jonathan his friend and Saul’s son. Others may have forgotten but David did not. David set out to find someone from Saul’s family to whom he could be kind.

Today, we accumulate obligations. We make promises that we don’t fully keep despite our best intentions. We also accumulate hurts that we have never really forgiven. Worse yet, we often cause hurts for which we do not fully apologize. Over the years our spiritual debts pile up. The beginning of the year is a good time to consider what we have left undone, and our acceptance of Christ has assured us of God’s peace. With His Gift of peace, we can make peace. Are there any obligations you need to attend today? Stand on God’s word and keep your promises right now.

David asked, “Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” 2 Samuel 9:1

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank you for keeping your promises and obligations to me. Father, I’m so glad your faithfulness endures forever. Lord, help me to be faithful, keeping the promises I make and forgiving others as I have been forgiven. In Christ’ name, Amen.

January 26, 2022

Sad Movies Always Make Me Cry

Wife Asked Hubby to Go on a Date With Another Woman, It Changed His Life Forever

Many of us know Psalm 23, the most well-known of David’s songs, written early in his life. But his first recorded song is this lament and tears in 2 Samuel 1. It is the heart cry of David over King Saul and David’s best friend, his son Jonathan, who died in a battle with the enemy, the Philistines.

Growing up there was an old song that said, “Sad movies always make me cry.” The effects of sin and evil had the same impact on David’s life in 2 Samuel 3:33-34. We find another sad song of David, a lament over the death of his friend Abner. Such songs help us learn to keep talking with God, even though our lives may be falling apart, and we feel as if God has abandoned us. They remind us that although our lives are constantly threatened by sickness, pain, and death, God has promised victory through the life, death, and the resurrection of Yahshua.

Today, it is good to know that in times of chaos, distress, and sadness, God hears us, and in His time, he will set our wrongs right again. Until then, we need to cling to his Word and the many promises it contains. We need to listen to God’s words of assurance: “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” When evil Seeks to overtake you, cry if you must but know that Joy comes in the morning. Hallelujah!

David took up this lament concerning Saul and his son Jonathan. — 2 Samuel 1:17

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank you for your reassuring promises. Father, there are many times in my life when I feel as if the world has collapsed all around me. God thank you for being there and not turning away, keeping your promise that “you will never turn away from my heartfelt cries”. Thank you for sending your Spirit to be our constant comfort in distress, I love you, in Christ name. Amen.

November 16, 2021November 16, 2021

Don’t Worry About Evil People

Photo by christopher catbagan on Unsplash

Have you had folk come against you, make fun of you and rip your name to shreds? King Saul in the Bible had people come against him. They were making fun of him. He could have easily become distracted and lost his focus. He could have defended himself saying, “I’m the leader. I have what it takes.” But what did he do? He kept silent. One translation says, “He paid them no mind.”

In my life I have had to deal with those naysayers in and out of the church, but I had to stay focused and pay them no mind. Sometimes that’s what you have to do when people are coming against you. You have to realise that some people are just jealous or driven by the enemy. Not everyone is going to have your best interests at heart. But don’t let them control your destiny. Don’t let them distract you from God’s best.

Today, instead of playing up to people or trying to win over all your critics, gossipers and evil surmises, keep your eyes focused on what God has for you. Spend time with people who see what God is doing in you. Focus on those who will celebrate you. Ignore those critics so you can be all that God has called you to be. Hallelujah!

“But some scoundrels said, ‘how can this fellow save us?’ They despised him and brought him no gifts. But Saul kept silent.” (1 Samuel 10:27, NIV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, today I keep my heart and mind focused on You no matter what is said about me. Father, I will ignore the naysayers, gossipers and evil surmises and turn away from negative voices. God, I declare by faith that I will accomplish the plan You have for me, as I daily put Your voice and will first in everything that I do, in Christ’ Name! Amen.

January 9, 2019

Don’t Call Her A Witch

Mention magic or wizards, witches or spells, and Christians the world over will freak out.

Blogs will be written. Tweets will be sent. Names will be called, and lines will be drawn in the sand arbitrarily labelling “real Christians” from the fake ones.

Fascinating what a topic can do to brothers and sisters in Christ.

But I don’t want to talk about that right now. I want to get people to stop calling a particulate person a witch. Because the Bible never called her that.

In fact, there is a reason to give her some praise.

SCRIPTURE

“Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in his own town of Ramah. Saul had expelled the mediums and spiritists from the land.

^”The Philistines assembled and came and set up camp at Shunem, while Saul gathered all Israel and set up camp at Gilboa.When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid; terror filled his heart.He inquired of the Lord, but the Lorddid not answer him by dreams or Urimor prophets.Saul then said to his attendants, “Find me a woman who is a medium, so I may go and inquire of her.”

“There is one in Endor,” they said.

^”So Saul disguised himself, putting on other clothes, and at night he and two men went to the woman. “Consult a spirit for me,” he said, “and bring up for me the one I name.”

^”But the woman said to him, “Surely you know what Saul has done. He has cut off the mediums and spiritists from the land. Why have you set a trap for my life to bring about my death?”

^”Saul swore to her by the Lord, “As surely as the Lordlives, you will not be punished for this.”

^”Then the woman asked, “Whom shall I bring up for you?”

“Bring up Samuel,” he said.

– 1 Samuel 28:3-11

THAT’S INTERESTING

Did you notice something?

If you have read the Old Testament or the stories of King David, then you might recognize this story. It’s usually gone by this title.

”The Witch of Endor”.

But the Scripture never said ‘witch’.

Yes, that is the NIV translation, but look at the other ones. They don’t say that she was a witch. A medium, sure. A spiritist, perhaps. The King James says that ‘she hath a familiar spirit’, which I’m assuming is Old English for she is familiar with spirits. Like a medium or a spiritist.

But not a witch.

So where did this “that woman was a witch” come from?

It’s the heading that the publishers added, maybe the editors, or translators. But it wasn’t in the Bible.

WHY WOULD THEY DO THAT?

Why? I’m not sure. Maybe it has something to do with the North American hatred of witches, the occult, stuff like that. It could be a particular spiritual philosophy or doctrine that a publisher or editor may hold. It could be how believers tend to damn anyone who does what the Bible specifically condemns ‘believers’ for doing, even if they have no connection to the faith of the Bible.

But by calling this woman, a lady that was never graced with a name, as something more terrible than she is, is horrible.

Don’t misunderstand me. I’m not encouraging spiritists or mediums.

But if the Bible doesn’t call her a witch, I don’t see why we should be giving her labels that shouldn’t be there.

WHY WE SHOULD PRAISE THE MEDIUM OF ENDOR

Consider another portion of the same story. It comes after the medium calls up the spirit of the prophet Samuel. The spirit speaks with Saul, tells him of his impending death and the gross defeat of Israelite army.

“Immediately Saul fell full length on the ground, filled with fear because of Samuel’s words. His strength was gone, for he had eaten nothing all that day and all that night.

^“When the woman came to Saul and saw that he was greatly shaken, she said, “Look, your servant has obeyed you. I took my life in my hands and did what you told me to do.Now please listen to your servant and let me give you some food so you may eat and have the strength to go on your way.”

^“He refused and said, “I will not eat.”

“But his men joined the woman in urging him, and he listened to them. He got up from the ground and sat on the couch.

^”The woman had a fattened calf at the house, which she butchered at once. She took some flour, kneaded it and baked bread without yeast.Then she set it before Saul and his men, and they ate. That same night they got up and left.”

– 1 Samuel 28:20-25

Saul going to see the medium of Endor was an illegal act. He had outlawed and cast all and any mediums and spiritists out of Israel. His actions had put this woman’s life in peril. She should have been killed for simply being a medium, nevermind the fact that she called up a spirit. And all that was because the King of Israel wanted it.

How did she respond to the man who brought her potential death to her door? How did the medium of Endor respond after all this was done?

She loved her neighbour.

Not that Saul was literally her neighbour, but she acted in perfect harmony with the teachings of Jesus. I’m not saying that her actions as a medium were like Jesus, no. But her sacrificial love, her killing of her own fattened calf, her giving of time and energy to make bread, her serving this king and his servants after they risked her life; that is just like Jesus.

She gave to someone who could have harmed her, caused her pain, even death. That sounds like Jesus.

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!”

– Romans 5:8-10

CONCLUSION

Was the medium a perfect example of Christ-like living? Was she someone that the Church should ‘saint’? Should we give her a name to elevate her status from secondary character to someone that matters?

Good questions. I don’t have answers for that, but I can say this.

Calling the medium of Endor a ‘witch’ and casting upon her all the evil and wicked connotations that we might have about such people is unfounded and wrong. A medium she was, but not a witch.

Even though we may not agree with her activities, she was not an example of pure evil. In fact, Scripture records that she did something worth remembering and worth seeing as honourable.

She showed love to King Saul, even though he threatened her life with his actions. What she did was a foreshadowing of Jesus and his great(er) love.