Going Your Own Way (9/14/2009)

Saul died because he was unfaithful and disobeyed the LORD. He even asked advice from a woman who talked to spirits of the dead, instead of asking the LORD. So the LORD had Saul killed and gave his kingdom to David, the son of Jesse. (1 Chronicles 10:13-14)

"Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord." As epitaphs go, that's about as sad as it gets. What a waste.

At one time, Saul seemed to have it all. Saul had the honor of having been handpicked by God himself. Saul had immense popularity and respect as Israel's very first human king. Saul had entire armies to help him carry out God's plan. He had servants to make his life easier.

Here comes the "but."

But, Saul had a fatal flaw.

He couldn't stay faithful to God. Saul was always looking for something else. Something more exciting. Something more comforting. Something more dangerous. When God's way didn't suit him, Saul went his own way. Sadly, I can identify with Saul on this.

And because of always looking for something else, Saul paid the price. Saul learned the hard way that God does not tolerate unfaithfulness. God expects friends to be faithful to each other and not gossip about each other. God especially expects his people to be faithful to him.

Where do you rate on the "faithfulness scale?"

If you heard people making fun of your best friend, would you stand up for him or her, or would you keep your mouth shut? If your friend did something that made him seriously unpopular at school, would you stick by him (or her), or would you try to separate yourself for him.

But the big question for all of us is this- how faithful are we to God? If you heard a science teacher claim that God doesn't exist, would you stand up for God in a loving (not combative) way, or would you keep your mouth shut? If identifying yourself as a Christian could make you seriously unpopular with your "school crowd" (as opposed to your safe and comfortable "Christian crowd"), would you stick with God or would you try to hide your relationship with him?

The decision is yours. Will you commit yourself to God's ways? Or will you go your own way?