I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

1 Samuel 22. “And the king said, ‘You shall surely die, Ahimelech, you and all your father’s house!’ Then the king said to the guards who stood about him, ‘Turn and kill the priests of the Lord, because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled and did not tell it to me.’ But the servants of the king would not lift their hands to strike the priests of the Lord.  And the king said to Doeg, ‘You turn and kill the priests!’ So Doeg the Edomite turned and struck the priests, and killed on that day eighty-five men who wore a linen ephod.  Also Nob, the city of the priests, he struck with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and nursing infants, oxen and donkeys and sheep—with the edge of the sword” (Verses 16-19). Saul has fallen so far. It’s interesting to me the backwardness of his actions. In order to gain God’s favor he has decided to do ALL the things God had told him NOT to do. His version of reverse psychology. Let’s bring Saul’s action into today’s society. How many times do we do the same with friends, with family, and with God. To get attention we do the opposite of what should be done. Why? Because we know it will illicit a response, even if the response is negative. But what we don’t realize is, so will doing what is right. However, it is usually easier to do what is wrong. All God wanted was for Saul to sincerely repent, and his relationship with God could have been restored (not his kingdom, but his relationship). The same is true for us, to be restored all we need to do is sincerely repent. Sincerely recognize our sin and humbly repent. But our pride wars against humility. Thus many times we choose the opposite choice. Make the hard choice, choose to repent. Initially it will be painful, but the fruit it bears will be like nothing we have experienced before.