When Things Go Wrong

Today we are looking at the end of the story of King Saul.

While we often think about David being the main character of this book, and for portions he is.

This book largely shares with us the entire life story of Saul, both his successes and failures.

1 Samuel 28:3–19 ESV

Now Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had put the mediums and the necromancers out of the land. The Philistines assembled and came and encamped at Shunem. And Saul gathered all Israel, and they encamped at Gilboa. When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly. And when Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him, either by dreams, or by Urim, or by prophets. Then Saul said to his servants, “Seek out for me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her.” And his servants said to him, “Behold, there is a medium at En-dor.” So Saul disguised himself and put on other garments and went, he and two men with him. And they came to the woman by night. And he said, “Divine for me by a spirit and bring up for me whomever I shall name to you.” The woman said to him, “Surely you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off the mediums and the necromancers from the land. Why then are you laying a trap for my life to bring about my death?” But Saul swore to her by the Lord, “As the Lord lives, no punishment shall come upon you for this thing.” Then the woman said, “Whom shall I bring up for you?” He said, “Bring up Samuel for me.” When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice. And the woman said to Saul, “Why have you deceived me? You are Saul.” The king said to her, “Do not be afraid. What do you see?” And the woman said to Saul, “I see a god coming up out of the earth.” He said to her, “What is his appearance?” And she said, “An old man is coming up, and he is wrapped in a robe.” And Saul knew that it was Samuel, and he bowed with his face to the ground and paid homage. Then Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” Saul answered, “I am in great distress, for the Philistines are warring against me, and God has turned away from me and answers me no more, either by prophets or by dreams. Therefore I have summoned you to tell me what I shall do.” And Samuel said, “Why then do you ask me, since the Lord has turned from you and become your enemy? The Lord has done to you as he spoke by me, for the Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, David. Because you did not obey the voice of the Lord and did not carry out his fierce wrath against Amalek, therefore the Lord has done this thing to you this day. Moreover, the Lord will give Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons shall be with me. The Lord will give the army of Israel also into the hand of the Philistines.”

When Things Go Wrong We Must Remember the Enemy

The enemy prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to desire.

1 Peter 5:8 ESV

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

We are not only dealing with people in these situations.

We don’t battle against flesh and blood…

Ephesians 6:12 ESV

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Spirit now at work in those who are disobedient.

We should remember the warnings that have been given in Scripture about associating with demonic spirits.

We don’t overspiritualize, but we don’t ignore the reality of spiritual warfare.

Not everything is the result of spiritual oppression, especially when we do things to ourselves.

When Things Go Wrong Our Character is Tested

Verse 6 tells us that in this situation, Saul inquired of the Lord… This time he didn’t hear anything from the Lord.

At first glance, it could appear that Saul did the right thing… Why didn’t God answer?

This goes deeper into Saul’s character and motives.

He was seeking God because all hope he had was lost.

This would be like a murderer praying to God to help the cops not find him.

He was not seeking God in repentance, but for his deliverance from a worldly threat.

How do we know this?

We look at what he did when God didn’t answer.

He went to the medium at Endor.

Saul had previously cast all of the necromancers and mediums from the land.

He was likely following Samuel’s leading in this and obeying God’s commands in Leviticus about not dealing with mediums and necromancers.

When things were not going his way, Saul’s character was put to the test.

He put them out of the land because he knew that it was the right thing to do.

When things got difficult and he wasn’t getting the answer that he wanted, he went to those that he had previously driven out.

There will be many situations in life where things will be going wrong, and it is in these moments that our character will be tested.

As Christians we cannot be only concerned with being successful in life, but we must be concerned with being successful in the right way.

How to overcome trials in our life:

Trust in God

Know that God has, does, and will deliver his children from trials.

The Helper, the Holy Spirit.

Be Prepared

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” -Will Durant

Armor of God.

Ephesians 6:13–20 ESV

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

Because we don’t wrestle with flesh and blood, we take up the armor of God.

“and having done all” to stand firm.

The implication of preparation and action for the coming battle.

Make war with your sin.

“I hear so many Christians murmuring about their imperfections and their failures and their addictions and their short-comings, And I see so little war! ‘Murmur, murmur, murmur… Why am I this way?’ MAKE WAR!” -John Piper

If we want to be faithful in difficult situations we need to be faithful in the little things.

The parable of the talents.

When Things Go Wrong Our Actions Reveal Our Heart

Saul’s decision to go to the medium revealed the condition of his heart.

This is more than a one time lapse in judgement. It is a repeated and consistent rebellion against God.

Saul proved himself in this situation, who God has already judged him to be.

The reality of this situation is that what Saul needed to do was clear, repent, be reconciled to David and actually seek the Lord.

Instead, Saul continued to go his own way, and ignore the Lord’s commands in the process.

Not utter rejection, he was always God adjacent.

He would do obedience adjacent things, but wasn’t really obedient.

He was like a child that when you tell them to clean their room, they shove it all under the bed and into the closet.

You can imagine the outcome of this story had Saul been obedient and truly repented.

When it came to this final situation of desperation he seeks out his old mentor through ungodly means.

He does not like the news that he hears.

Saul’s response to this situation is utter despair.

Godly vs Wordly Grief

2 Corinthians 7:9–11 ESV

As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter.

When faced with despair and difficulty, especially of our own doing, we should be catapulted toward God, rather than turning further toward the world.

Saul’s actions revealed his heart was not one that was truly seeking after and following the Lord.

Our actions in our lives reveal our heart as well.

Saving faith will produce righteousness in our lives.

The Bible is clear that we can know we are saved and that this salvation is not something that can be taken from us.

1 John 5:13 ESV

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.

The Bible is also clear that not all who profess to follow Christ, actually follow Christ.

Matthew 7:21–23 ESV

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

1 Corinthians 15 talks a bout those who believe in vain, describing the shallow faith of the plant that springs up and withers that Jesus talked about in the parable of the sower.

These are those who profess Christ, but do not truly know him.

Can we know if we are saved? Absolutely! How?

Do we do the will of the father?

What is the fathers will?

Believe in Christ.

Results in Walking in Obedience.

Not perfection, but a continual seeking of the Lord.

Your actions reveal your heart.

Are you walking after God’s will in your life, or your own?

Where are you today?

Saved and walking in obedience - Do so more!

Saved but struggling - Run to the Lord!

Say you believe, but nothing in your life indicates that - Seek him this morning.

Don’t believe - Today is the day.