Breach of Faith

Today's Reading: Psalm 9, Genesis 9:20-10:32; 1 Chronicles 10; Luke 6:17-49

Saul was Israel's first king. He didn't reach that position because of birth. He became king, because God chose him to be king. And, he began as a fine king.

But, as the years went by, Saul became power hungry and broke his faith in the Lord. He even consulted a medium, seeking guidance. 1 Chronicles 10 is the sad story of Saul's death, and not only Saul's death but the death of his armor bearer and his three sons.

This morning in church we talked about God's judgement. We like to talk about God's grace and love, but His judgement is a topic we tend to ignore. Scripture doesn't sugarcoat the wrath of God. It's seen in many places in the Old Testament and New Testament, including in the chroniclers theological explanation of Saul's death in 1 Chronicles 10:13-14. Reread verses 13-14 now.

"13 So Saul died for his breach of faith. He broke faith with the Lord in that he did not keep the command of the Lord, and also consulted a medium, seeking guidance. 14 He did not seek guidance from the Lord. Therefore the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse."

Does God's wrath motivate you to share Him with others? Does it confuse you? Does it surprise you?

A.W. Tozer's words from his classic work, The Knowledge of the Holy might help you as you think about God's wrath. Read these words and record your thoughts in our comment section:

“God’s compassion flows out of His goodness, and goodness without justice is not goodness. God spares us because He is good, but He could not be good if He were not just. . . God’s justice stands forever against the sinner in utter severity. The value and tenuous hope that God is too kind to punish the ungodly has become a deadly opiate for the consciences of millions. It hushes their fears and allows them to practice all pleasant forms of iniquity while death draws every day nearer and the command to repent goes unregarded. As responsible moral beings we dare not to so trifle with our eternal future.”