“Then the king told the guards standing around him, ‘Go around, and kill the cohanim of Adonai, because they are siding with David, and because they knew he was escaping, yet they didn’t tell me.’ But the king’s servants refused to lift their hands against the cohanim of Adonai.”-1 Samuel 22:17
The moment for Saul to unleash all of his sinful hatred and rage had arrived.
Saul orders his men to execute the High Priest and all the priests at Nob for helping David.
Can you imagine the shock they must have felt?
This crazy dictator was asking them to kill off the holy priesthood of Israel!
To their credit, Saul’s war council refused.
Okay, let’s stop here for a second.
We’ve just encountered a huge lesson we must not overlook.
Saul’s men recognized how unjust and unfair the king’s orders were.
They also realized that denying this crazy dictator could have resulted in their execution.
Yet they still dared to refuse.
They possessed enough fear of the Lord that they preferred possible death at Saul’s hand rather than God’s judgment upon their heads later.
Take note, my friends.
In this lifetime, you will face many temptations to do evil…
Whether it’s committing adultery with another man’s wife…
Robbing your employer…
Or spending all the precious hours of your short life chasing after wealth, sexual pleasure, and status.
You may even find yourself facing possible death.
Any believer who was martyred for his or her faith faced a similar choice that Saul’s men did.
Whether you’re tempted to do evil…
Or ORDERED to do evil as Saul’s men were…
Understand at that moment, you’re at a crossroads.
You can…
Either fear the Lord…
Or fear the world.
Either way, the consequences of your decision could be irrevocable and eternal.
So think about that my friend.
When you’re facing the heavy temptation to commit evil…
Just ask yourself if it’s worth it.
And pray that God gives you the strength to withstand.
I know that all alone in my flesh, I wouldn’t be able to endure.
Be blessed.
CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT
“No temptation has overtaken you
that is not common to man.
God is faithful, and he will not
let you be tempted beyond your ability,
but with the temptation he will also
provide the way of escape,
that you may be able to endure it.”
-1 Corinthians 10:13
Leave a Reply