Passage Read: 1 Chronicles 7-10
Meditation Verses: 10:13-14
Thought
Saul lived a full life, but died in battle, not peace. He took his own life because he was wounded, but not so badly that he thought he would die before the Philistines found him, and he didn't want to be tormented by them. Scripture considers this a consequence of his sins against the Lord, because he was careful to do exactly as the Lord asked, and he consulted a medium because the Lord wouldn't speak to him. He lived a long life, but especially the latter years were filled with fear and internal torment and jealousy. His life could have been pleasant and filled with joy, but because of his unfaithfulness, his inability to trust the Lord in obedience, therefore he couldn't also trust the Lord for his future and the future of his sons. He had to take matters into his own hands because the Lord wasn't for him, but had abandoned him.
Application
God's judgment isn't always to take a life early. Just by not being a part of a person's life, He can leave all hope and help in that person's own hands. And that alone is enough to bring constant torment and fear and uncertainty into a life. I should have more peace because I trust in the Lord, or to the degree I trust in the Lord, I should have peace. So if I want a good quality of life, regardless of the length, I need to trust more in the Lord. I don't want Him to leave me to my own devices; I don't want to have to make all good happen in my life, because I know I have no power to control my circumstances. I want the Lord to work on my behalf, so I need to trust Him and know His will and do it. He is most pleased to grant me success when I am actually working to do His will. And when I have confidence that I am doing His will, I should have greater assurance and peace that whatever comes, the Lord will bring me through it.