When the Dominoes Fall

Introduction

When I was a kid there was a commercial that would come on for a game that I thought was so cool. I really wanted this game because the commercial made it seem so great. It was called Domino Rally, and in the commercial the kids were just so happy to see these dominoes fall in order on this course. As a kid it was a toy, it was fun setting it up just to knock over one domino and the rest of them fall. Life works in a similar way, every decision we make impacts another decision. Very rarely do our decisions just impact us, very rarely are the decisions we make are isolated as one moment, they have the ability to impact the rest of our lives.

Even further the decisions we make can impact our family, our friends and even our community. It’s no secret that many of the struggles we have in families today began with one decision. Many of the dysfunction in our communities began with just one decision. Much of the dissension in our churches began with just one decision. We often find ourselves in a place of turmoil when we make a decision based on selfish motives, or decisions that have no integrity attached to them. The dynamic between Saul and David could have been an Emmy award winning TV show.

Background

Saul is King Israel and ironically led a very different life that many Kings that are listed biblically. God gave him explicit instructions and Saul refused to follow them, he also allowed jealousy to be the response of consequence which caused a very violent and toxic relationship between him and David. Even further, when God is not the priority because we don’t like the answer he gives it can have detrimental impact on our entire family.

You might be wondering how did we get to this place, how does a king get cornered in war and die alongside his sons.

1 Chronicles 10:13–14“So Saul died for his unfaithfulness which he had committed against the Lord, because he did not keep the word of the Lord, and also because he consulted a medium for guidance. But he did not inquire of the Lord; therefore He killed him, and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse.”

His interaction with David was actually quite surprising considering his history of simplicity and being modest. He was also regarded as a very good looking man and there were very few complaints of his leadership, nonetheless jealously and disobedience were the dominoes that caused a number of things to fall.

1 Samuel 15:1–3“Samuel also said to Saul, “The Lord sent me to anoint you king over His people, over Israel. Now therefore, heed the voice of the words of the Lord. Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘I will punish Amalek for what he did to Israel, how he ambushed him on the way when he came up from Egypt. Now go and attack Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and do not spare them. But kill both man and woman, infant and nursing child, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.’ ””

These were the instructions but Saul taking it upon himself, 1 Samuel 15:9 “But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep, the oxen, the fatlings, the lambs, and all that was good, and were unwilling to utterly destroy them. But everything despised and worthless, that they utterly destroyed.”

These were explicit instructions in which Saul refused to follow, the consequence was him being rejected as King. When we get to the pinnacle of our success we have to be careful that we don’t start operating out of position. The text saying “behold, to obey is better than sacrifice” was more than just doing the right thing, Saul is of the tribe of Benjamin, offering sacrifices was outside his scope, his job description as a leader. Often times when we start doing things outside of the parameters of what God has asked us to do that’s when we begin to make more and more mistakes.

Avoiding the Right Answer

There are times in life we fall into the traps of life because we believe if we avoid the right answer we can operate from a place of ignorance. The answer you want from the wrong source is never a justifiable option for us to do what we want to do.

What is your guide this morning? What words are you depending on? Are you listening to the friend that will justify your foolishness? Are you justifying your nasty attitude because of what some astrology page on Instagram told you? Avoidance doesn’t inhibit the consequence, at some point we have to deal with the issues that are in our life.

It wasn’t that Saul sought answers from a medium the issue was sought answers from the medium as if she was God. This word guidance means to allow oneself to be enquired of, consulted (Only of God).

At some point the mistake is the mistake and the longer we avoid dealing with it the harder it will be to overcome it. When we fail to trust in God after a mistake it can lead to tragedy. This entire chapter focuses on his death, Saul has a great beginning a story that many of us would fall in love with. A King has risen from the smallest tribe and restored a sense of power and pride in Israel. Nonetheless he allowed jealousy and a lack of accountability to keep from essentially protecting his family. He began to value recognition over responsibility. Envy destroyed him, and cost him God-given opportunities. Understand that even in the midst of war he fell on his own sword, Saul had gotten to a place of bitterness that he thought taking his own life was the answer and the domino continues to fall because the armorbearer ends up doing the same thing.

Your decisions can cost your children their life! Jonathan and his two brothers died as the expense of their father’s unfaithfulness.

What Happens if I’m Doing the Right Thing?

Some of us today have sat here and said, these aren’t problems of mine but there’s another side to this story and that is patience because some of us are dealing with the Saul’s of life and awaiting our opportunity to assume the position of leadership. Understand being chosen is one thing but timing is everything. God’s timing is always right, David did not have to remove Saul, even though he had an opportunity to do so, God’s timing is always perfect timing.

1 Samuel 24:4 “Then the men of David said to him, “This is the day of which the Lord said to you, ‘Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, that you may do to him as it seems good to you.’ ” And David arose and secretly cut off a corner of Saul’s robe.”

Understand that humility will never fail you, please do not get impatient because your time has not come yet! In the meantime find a way to be the best you can be so when your number is called you are ready for action. Always remember that being a godly example we are paving the way for someone else. Thomas Shepard once said “Oh, the greivous shipwrecks of some great ships! We see some boards and planks lying in the mud at low water, but that is all!”

Leave sometime behind that can be of benefit, don’t leave behind scraps because we are humble enough to face our mistakes.

Saul had to die in effort to make space for David, let us not forget that someone had to die to make space for us. Jesus died so that we could bounce back from our mistakes regardless of what they are. The sacrifice of Jesus was too great for us to believe that we are in this alone! The sacrifice of Jesus is too great, and forgiveness is too amazing of a gift for us to not lean on God when things get rough!

1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching Father, Failure Of

The story is told of a young man who stood before a judge to be sentenced for forgery. The judge had been a friend of the boy’s father, who was famous for his books on the law of trusts. “Young man,” said the judge sternly, “do you remember your father, that father whom you have disgraced?”

“I remember him perfectly,” the young man answered quietly. “When I went to him for advice or companionship, he would say, ‘Run away, boy, I’m busy.’ Well, my father finished his book, and here I am.”496

All the dominoes of life may not have fallen, but understand if you fall and refuse to get up it could destroy your entire family.