When the Night is the Darkest

When the annointed one’s NOT the annointed one

Walking through the valley of the shadow of death

Saul’s Desperate Search and Christ’s Desperate Call

Similarities - Both were ultimately cut off from God. Both sought answers at night. Both would have their followers defeated and scattered.

Psalm 22:1–2 ESV

1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? 2 O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest.

When the night is the darkest, our Savior trusted His Father. We should too.

Saul’s Depressing Answer vs Christ’s Trusting Response

Terrified…Wouldn’t eat. Vs. Ate, prayed for Himself and His disciples.

There is a place worse than with God’s enemies. It’s without God’s favor.

False Conversion - Saul looked like the right King at the start. He even still made oaths by Yahweh right up until the end. But ultimately he wasn’t trusting in God. He was using God to give him confidence or power. People can claim to be Christians. They can be moral and good and come across very well. But the only path to God is through faith in who He is not what you think you are going to get from Him.

When the shadows fall, God’s plan is still undefeated. We should honor our King as well.

Jonathan

Saul’s Desolate End vs Our Eternal Hope in Christ

This is the ultimate end of looking to physical symbols. The ark. The king.

We don’t look to human figures. They will disappoint. But there is always hope in Christ.

John 20:24–29 ESV

24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” 26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Suicide - It’s good to grieve people. It honors their memory. There is always someone who remembers the good you have done even when you think no one will. Suicide isn’t the answer not because there are no dark times ahead but because Saul isn’t the true King. Jesus is.

Colossians 1:13–14 ESV

13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Colossians 1:21–23 ESV

21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

Communion on Good Friday

Titus 2:11–14 ESV

11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

Be zealous to pray. Be zealous to share.

2 Timothy 4:6–8 ESV

6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.