• Home
  • About This Blog
  • Contact Me
  • Subscribe
  • Comment Policy

Attempts at Honesty

Reflections on the interplay of the Bible and Culture

  • Westminster Shorter Catechism Series
  • Sermon on the Mount Series
Home Bible Reflection Abandoned by God – 1 Samuel 15:35

Abandoned by God – 1 Samuel 15:35

Posted on November 30, 2010 Written by Mark McIntyre Leave a Comment


1 Samuel 15:35 (ESV)

35 And Samuel did not see Saul again until the day of his death, but Samuel grieved over Saul. And the Lord regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel.

Saul had abandoned God and as a result, God abandons Saul.

Someone once said that we have two options which determine our eternal destiny. Either we say to God, “your will be done” or God says to us “your will be done.” The result of the former is that we conform to God’s will and accept the provision he has made for us. The result of the latter is that God allows us to go our own way and live as if God does not exist. One leads to eternal blessing, the other to eternal damnation.

Paul speaks of this in Romans 1 where he repeats the phrase, “God gave them over.” This is what happened to Saul in the passage quoted above. God determined to let Saul alone and Samuel no longer came to Saul with a word from the LORD.

We do not have to look very hard in this media rich culture to see examples of people that have gone their own way, flaunting their rejection of God, yet living a lifestyle that is the envy of many. They seem to have everything going their way and have money and fame. These have sought to be free from God and God has granted them their desire – for a time.

Contrast these to saints through the ages who have sought self denial and spiritual discipline and yet have suffered at the hands of their fellow men.

How does it work out in God’s economy that those who reject him prosper and those who earnestly seek God earn suffering as their wages? Jesus tells us that those who mourn are the ones that are truly blessed. To have the prophetic voice in our ears and the pointing finger in our face is not enjoyable, but it is necessary for our relationship with God to deepen. The largest benefit of the reading of Scripture is that it shows us our deficiencies and teaches us to rely on God for our growth.

Like Saul, I have a choice to be open to the prophetic voice and repent when I am busted, or I can reject it and go on my merry way. The danger in the latter is that God eventually stops sending prophets.


Filed Under: Bible Reflection Tagged With: English Standard Version, God, Israel, Jesus, Lord, Samuel, Saul

About Mark McIntyre

A follower of Jesus Christ who shares observations about how Scripture should impact the church and the world. Mark is the original author and editor of Attempts at Honesty.

Follow Attempts at Honesty

Honesty in your Inbox

Love God Love People

An encouragement to love

The church is to up the ante by going beyond love for the members and loving those who are enemies (Matthew 5:43-44). We are to be identified by our love for those both inside and outside the membership ranks.

Miles Stanford

Miles Stanford on self denial

Miles Stanford comments on those who seem spiritually mature but are really wrapped up in self.

Question 11

What is God’s providence?

God not only powerfully preserves and governs, but he does so in holiness and wisdom. God is big enough to bring about his plan for this world. No Caesar, no king, no dictator, no president or any world leader can thwart what God will accomplish.

He sat down to teach – Sermon on the Mount Series #2

The beginning of the Sermon on the Mount:  1 When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. 2 He opened His mouth and began to teach them . . .” (Matthew 5:1-2 NASB) At the end of chapter 4, Matthew informs us […]

Springsteen

No retreat baby and no surrender – Inspired by Bruce Springsteen

The Bruce Springsteen song “No Surrender” inspired some thoughts about what is worthy of such dogged pursuit by the believer. See what the Apostle Paul and C. S. Lewis have to say in relation to this.

Post Series

  • Westminster Shorter Catechism Series
  • Sermon on the Mount Series
June 2023
SMTWTFS
 123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
252627282930 
« May    

Categories

Archives

Blogger Grid
Follow me on Blogarama

Copyright © 2023 · Focus Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in