4 Sobering Life-Reminders

Read 1 Samuel 31.

This is not a happy ending.  But with Saul there was little hope that it could end any differently than it did.  In fact, the tragic conclusion had been told him by Samuel.

Saul died while fighting the Philistines.  Saul's three sons were also killed.  Included among them was Jonathan, David's best friend.  This was most likely the battle David would have participated in if Achish had not sent him home.  God protected David from being involved.

Saul's sin and repeated disobedience to God not only cost his life and the lives of countless others, but the enemy gained a great victory.  The people of  Israel abandoned some of their cities to escape.  These towns became part of the spoils of war for the Philistines.

When the Philistines found the bodies of the king and his sons, they desecrated them and celebrated.  It was good news throughout the enemy's land.

Saul's home town people recovered the royal remains, brought them home, and mourned for seven days.

4 Sobering Life-Reminders:
1. "None of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself."  Romans 14:7
The way we live our lives and the way we respond to God's claims on our lives directly affects all those around us...for good or evil.

2. "...and give the adversary no occasion for slander."  2 Timothy 5:14b
"...the accuser...who accuses...day and night before our God."  Revelation 12:11
Satan is energized when God's people mess up.  He goes right before the LORD and points out our wrong doings.  Then, he often mobilizes his own evil followers to take advantage and celebrate over our failures.  This is spiritual warfare that every believer faces daily.

3. "For everyone who has been born of  God overcomes the world.  And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith.  Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?"  1 John 5:4-5
The good news of the gospel of Jesus is that we need not live in failure.  Forgiveness is ours.  Failure need not be final.  We may stumble in the battle, but we have already won the war.

4. "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.  Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is."  Ephesians 5:15
Let's determine to use ours lives doing what God wants done.