February 3, 2025

Passage Read: 1 Samuel 13-16
Meditation Verses: 14:43-46

Thought

Saul had grown quite bold by this point. Too bold perhaps. But he was a mighty warrior and was inflicting punishment on all Israel's enemies. The people must have been very happy with him. Except that he wasn't always the most tactically wise. He made this vow against his enemies, but it weakened his own men and incited them to sin against the Lord in their hunger. Because of that vow, Jonathan should have been put to death, and Saul was willing to do so, just as Jephthah sacrificed his own daughter. But the men of Israel rescued Jonathan from his father's hands. At that point, Saul could have made things right by begging the Lord for forgiveness for his rash vow, confessing how foolish it was. Instead, he just gave up pursuit because his communication with the Lord was blocked by his failure to fulfill his vow. Instead of seeking to make it right with the Lord, he just walked away. This only compounded his problem with the Lord.

Application

When I pile up unconfessed sin against the Lord, things don't get better between me and the Lord, but worse. It doesn't have to be this way. The Lord is merciful and gracious. If I will confess my sins, He is willing to forgive and restore the relationship. I would do well to learn from my mistakes and not repeat them. But I shouldn't just walk away, especially when I know I'm in the wrong. Plead with God for mercy and I'll probably receive it.