Montgomery County sentinel., 1944-08-31

disobedience to Gods law. He es-
tablished the moral order in the
universe. His is the only right
way, and the man who does not walk
in Gods way is wrong no matter
how successful he may seem to be
at the moment.
After a brief period of success,
Saul sinned by intruding into the
priests Office at Gilgal Il Sam. 13:
10-1D. This was soon followed by
his disobedience in the battle with
Amalek Il Sam. 15:1-9. This
brought final judgment from the
Lord, and Saul stood revealed as
/. A SeIf-Willed Backslider wv.
10, III.
Turned back from following"
God means just one thing. that is,
turned back to self-will. These two
principles, which are mutually ex-
elusive, rule all actions of man-it
Is either Gods will. or self-will.
Saul, who had every opportunity
to make good as Israers first king,
lost out completely, and so turned
away from God that God had to turn
away from him, which is the thought
expressed by "repenteth" ". III.
ii. A Lying Hypocrite (vv. IL, 13).
Knowing that he had done just the
opposite, Saul puts on his best "Sun-
| day-go-to-church" manner and pro-
fessed to be very pious, and COM
pletely obedient ". 13). One mar
vels at his temerity. but not so much
so when one thinks of those in the
church who put on the same kind Of
front" to cover q worldly, SELF
centered life.
Nothing hurts the cause of Christ
more than the nervy hypocrites who
deny by their lives before the COM
munity the thing for which the
church stands. By the way, are you
a hypocrite, you who read these
lines? II so, flee to God in repent
ance. You are in bad company.
III. A Proved Deceiver wv. IA,
15).
The difficulty with falsehood is
that ultimately the truth comes to
light. With Saul 1t came quickly, for
the sheep which he said were dead
were alive enough to bleat at just
the right time. The deceit of Saul
thus was proved in the very instant
Of his false declaration of innocency.
BE sure your sin will find you
out" CNum. 1929 is not just a re-
! ligious theory, it is Gods word. He
that covereth his sins shall not pros
per; but whose confesseth and for
saketh them shall have mercy"
prov. 28:10.
Nv. A Proud Disobeyer wv. l6-
! 19).
Now Saul had to stand before
Samuel ard hear the words of Gods
condemnation. He had to face his
| own life and see there the ground
of the judgment Of the Lord. He
was reminded of the day of his
humble dependence on the Lord,
which had brought him exaltation to
the highest place in Israel.
To be small in ones own eyes is
to be great in the eyes of the Lord.
He is looking for the acceptable sac
rifice Of humble heart Cps. 51:17;
lisa. 57:15).
The tumult and the shouting dies:
The captains and the kings depart;
Still stands Thine ancient sacrifice,
An humble and contrite heart;
| Lord God Of Hosts. be with us yet.
J Lest we forget, lest we forgeti'
-KIPLING
v. An Argumentative Evader wv.
20, 2D.
Once set in the way of disobedi-
ence, there seems to be no limit to
the bold stubbornness of man. In
stead Of breaking down in contrition
and confession, Saul tried to face the
matter down by further argument
and tricky evasion.
II have obeyed," said he, "but
the people," Who was king? Did
the people obey Saul, or Saul the peo-
Pile? There is nothing honest about
laying your sins over on another.
How often people do it!
Notice also that Saul became very
religious again. II anything had
been done that seemed wrong, il
was with good purpose; they were
going to sacrifice to Jehovah"
"The sacrifices and ceremonies OF
religion are to aid and promote
obedience, not to be a substitute.
Disobedience can never be made a
virtue, even though attended by q
thousand sacrifices" (Stanley).
vi. A Rebellious Reject (vv. %,
2S).
ITO obey is better than sacrifice. +"
Oh, that we might learn well that
lesson which God through Samuel
tried to teach to Saul. We need tc
recognize that giving to the church,
or working for the church, is no,
enough Y there Is not obedience tc
God; and with US that obedience
must be the recognition Of Christ as
Saviour and Lord.
Lip service. half obedience, a win,
Ingness to mako sacrifices were moi
acceptable in the case Of Saul. b
sure they are infinitely less accept
able to God in this day when ws
have His Son who wants to be ouI
Saviour and to give US the enabling
grace to obey His win.