Today’s Reading, 1 Samuel 25-27
Focal Scripture: 1 Samuel 26:10 “David added, “As the Lord lives, the Lord will certainly strike him down: either his day will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish.”
I believe that many people think they can behave poorly and have zero consequences. The reason I think that is true comes from conversations I have heard and the attitudes of people involved. When these individuals are confronted with their poor behavior, they make excuses or will even justify how they talk about and treat others. When a person has no accountability or has zero remorse when confronted with sinful behavior, warning bells should go off immediately. This arrogant attitude will bring severe judgment on themselves and the organizations they are involved with in the present and future.
In today’s reading, we find out how easy it is for arrogance to overcome a person. Arrogant people believe they can behave any way they want and have no repercussions. In this reading, David has an opportunity to kill King Saul. His companion wants to drive the spear through him and end his life. However, David rejects this desire. He doesn’t want to kill the person the Lord has anointed and made King. Instead, he states that Saul’s judgment will come from the Lord. He will be struck down by the Lord or in battle. David declares the Lord will deal with people justly and swiftly.
I know this is not a very cheerful topic. However, it is a topic that needs to be discussed. Everyone will be judged in this life. You will be judged. I will be judged. Our families will be judged. Everyone will be judged. If we are in Christ, this should not scare us or intimidate us for any reason. Why? Because, even though I deserve death for my sins, I have put my faith in Christ. This means the judgment I deserve has been absorbed and taken on by Jesus.
If you are not a believer, this judgment should concern you greatly. Sin requires a penalty. Sin requires judgment. If Jesus is not your substitute, you will pay the penalty yourself. If that happens, your life is not worthy of forgiveness from the Lord. In other words, your death can not satisfy God’s wrath. You have no standing to declare yourself righteous. You have chosen your own power over the Lords. Which means you will fail and suffer eternal consequences.
I ask you today to ask yourself who will face the judgment that is coming in your life. Will it be you? Or will Jesus become your substitute and satisfy God’s righteous wrath? Don’t be arrogant and believe your righteousness will get you to heaven. Admit your need for a savior and throw all that you are unto the Lord. It will change the trajectory of your life and secure your eternity.
Tomorrow, I plan on reading Psalms 17,35,54,63
