READINGS: 1 Samuel 30:1-31:13; 1 Chronicles 9:40-44, 10:1-14; 12:20-22; 2 Samuel 1:1-27, 4:4
Today, I’m reminded again of the agony of not finishing well. Few of us cannot tell a story of someone we know who did not quite make it to the end. We grieve, but I fear we’ve almost come to the place to expect these happenings. It’s all painful.
In today’s reading, Saul’s life (and his kingdom) came to an end because of his choices. He died in battle as the Lord brought judgment on him for (1) being unfaithful to the Lord: (2) failing to obey the Lord’s command; and (3) consulting a medium. The individual choices were problematic indeed, but the combination of the three reveals a pattern of weak commitment to God. Saul did not seek the Lord, likely because he trusted in himself more than he trusted God. While 1 Chronicles 10:13-14 show how God used this failure to transfer the kingdom to David, the story is still tragic.
May God help you and me, on the other hand, to trust God to the end. May He grant us grace to finish well.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: What steps are you taking to help assure you finish well?
TODAY’S PRAYER: “Father, I pray You find me faithful to You.”
TOMORROW’S READING: 2 Samuel 2:1–3:5, 1 Chronicles 3:1-4a, 2 Samuel 23:8-17, 1 Chronicles 11:10-19, 2 Samuel 23:18-39, 1 Chronicles 11:20-47