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Ask, and it shall be given to
you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to
you. Matt.
7:7 |
"I
HAVE PLAYED THE FOOL"
as published in Toms
River Church of Christ bulletin
Israel's
first king was named Saul. In his early years he sought God's
guidance. I Samuel 9:2 says, "There was not among the children of
Israel a goodlier person than he." No one's life ever began more
hopefully than Saul's: he came from a good family, had an unmarred
name and literally stood head and shoulders above everyone. The
people recognized his character and greatness. God selected him,
equipped him and promised to be with him in his duties as king. How
tragic that later in life he would say, "I have played the fool and
have erred exceedingly" (I Samuel 26:21). Where did he go wrong?
1. He ran away from responsibility. When
God selected him to serve as king he hid himself. God
has a right to select whomever He will for a specific task. Saul
failed to comprehend that God's assignments are never too
unreasonable for man to carry out. Jonah also tried to run away from
God. ..
2. He didn't think things through.
Hasty in our judgments and acting on the spur of the moment often
bring heartache. Saul failed to wait for the Lord to guide him. Have
you ever said: "Lord, tell me what to do but I need to know right
now so I can take care of things?."
3. He tried to cover up his faults.
There's always a tendency to "pass the buck." Blaming others
and excuse making never contribute to a worthy cause. I Samuel
15:23: "Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath
also rejected thee from being king." Saul's disobedience and
attempted cover-up cost him his kingship.
4. He was filled with envy, jealousy and
hatred. Saul became jealous over David's slaying of
Goliath. Jealousy over another's success in reality may be
recognition of our own shortcomings. "Sticks and stones are only
thrown at fruit-bearing trees."
Three valuable lessons learned from Saul's
life:
It is not enough to start out right - we
must also end up right.
God never departs
from man; man departs from God.
Jealousy
makes a fool of a
man. | |