In
Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Andy pointed out that unless the Holy Spirit is present
in us, we will never accomplish the destiny God desires for us. We see this in the life of Saul.
When the prophet Samuel spoke with Saul, he gave this prophetic word prior to
Saul’s anointing as king: “The
Spirit of the Lord will come powerfully upon you, and you will
prophesy with them; and you will be changed into a different person.”
(First Samuel 10:6) The prophetic word came to pass, and there was initial
evidence of the Spirit of God ruling Saul’s heart:
As Saul turned to leave
Samuel, God changed Saul’s heart, and all these signs were
fulfilled that day. When he and his servant arrived at Gibeah, a
procession of prophets met him; the Spirit of God came powerfully upon
him, and he joined in their prophesying. (First Samuel 10:9-10)
Saul also went to his
home in Gibeah, accompanied by valiant men whose hearts God had
touched. But some scoundrels said, “How can this fellow save us?”
They despised him and brought him no gifts. But Saul kept silent. (First Samuel 10:26-27)
The people then said to
Samuel, “Who was it that asked, ‘Shall Saul reign over us?’ Bring these men to
us and we will put them to death.” But Saul said, “No one shall be put to death
today, for this day the Lord has rescued Israel.” (First Samuel 11:12-13)
Unfortunately,
Saul’s early years of self-control and wisdom eroded. Saul brazenly disobeyed
the word of God, offering unauthorized sacrifices and keeping alive livestock
and prisoners of war that God had destined to death. Barely two years into his reign, Saul was
given a prophetic word that the kingdom of Israel had been torn from his hand,
and that the LORD had chosen another man.
First Samuel 16 records the transfer of spiritual authority from Saul to David:
So Samuel took the horn
of oil, anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the
Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power. Samuel then went to Ramah. Now
the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him. (First Samuel 16:13-14)
In
the New Testament we find a critical checklist: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians
5:22-23a). Though Saul’s kingship continued for decades after the Holy Spirit
departed from him, his life bore the evidences of a man devoid of God’s Spirit.
Unlike the early years of his reign, in which a Spirit-filled Saul demonstrated
patience and grace, the remainder of Saul’s kingship was marked by jealousy,
anger, fear, and impulsive actions.
As they danced, they
sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” Saul was
very angry; this refrain galled him. “They have credited David with tens of
thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but
the kingdom?” And from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David. (First Samuel 18:8-9)
When Saul realized that
the LORD was with
David and that his daughter Michal loved David, Saul became still more afraid
of him, and he remained his enemy the rest of his days. (First Samuel 18:28-29)
As
we go through this day, let us reflect on our own track record. Do our lives
indicate that the Spirit of God lives in us? Or, do our lives show evidence
that the Spirit of God is absent from our hearts?
Holy Lord, you are our
God. Fill us with Your Spirit. May Your Spirit be evident to all: in the way we
live, in the way we respond to crisis, and in the way we respond to the harsh
words of others. Help us to follow You in complete obedience so that we might
live the life You destined for us. Amen.
Scripture
references are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright
© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica,
Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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