Yesterday, I ended with the following question:
What was the difference between David and Saul that resulted in such a different result in their lives?
Both men were chosen by God to lead Israel…
Both men believed in the God of Israel…
Both men committed grievous sins against the God of Israel…
Yet it was only David who received mercy and forgiveness…
While Saul received eternal condemnation,
What was the difference?
It can be expressed in one word.
Have any idea what it might be?
That word is TRUST.
In Saul’s case, lack of trust in the Lord is why he never truly repented when called on the carpet for his sin.
He was like a criminal sentenced for his crime…
But only felt bad because he got caught…
Not out of any sincere remorse for his actions.
David, on the other hand, responded as follows when called on the carpet for his actions:
“Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict
and justified when you judge.”
Psalm 51:4
Huge difference, right?
Saul ended up falling into idolatry because of his lack of trust.
David, however, clung closer to the Lord despite his sins and failures.
So here’s your takeaway for today.
Don’t confuse belief with trust.
They’re two different things.
This ain’t a matter of semantics, homies.
Saul most certainly believed in the God of Israel…
But he didn’t trust Him.
Heck, even the demons believe in the God of Israel…
But do they trust Him?
The answer is hell to the no…literally!
It is only trust in God that opens the door to His Grace.
This means the only difference between a person who is saved and one who isn’t is trust.
At a certain point in their lives, they may have similar behavior…
But at the end of the day, it is trust that determines one’s eternal fate.
CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT
“But someone will say that
you have faith and I have actions.
Show me this faith of yours
without the actions, and I will
show you my faith by my actions!
You believe that “God is one”?
Good for you!
The demons believe it too-
the thought makes them
shudder with fear!”
-James 2:18-19
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