With what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. Matthew 7:2.
Saul could not but feel that his son was preferred before him, both by the people and by the Lord. Jonathan’s deliverance was a severe reproof to the king’s rashness. He felt a presentiment that his curses would return upon his own head. He did not longer continue the war with the Philistines, but returned to his home, moody and dissatisfied.
Those who are most ready to excuse or justify themselves in sin are often most severe in judging and condemning others. Many, like Saul, bring upon themselves the displeasure of God, but they reject counsel and despise reproof. Even when convinced that the Lord is not with them, they refuse to see in themselves the cause of their trouble. They cherish a proud, boastful spirit, while they indulge in cruel judgment or severe rebuke of others who are better than they….
Often those who are seeking to exalt themselves are brought into positions where their true character is revealed. So it was in the case of Saul. His own course convinced the people that kingly honor and authority were dearer to him than justice, mercy, or benevolence. Thus the people were led to see their error in rejecting the government that God had given them. They had exchanged the pious prophet, whose prayers had brought down blessings, for a king who in his blind zeal had prayed for a curse upon them.
Had not the men of Israel interposed to save the life of Jonathan, their deliverer would have perished by the king’s decree. With what misgivings must that people afterward have followed Saul’s guidance! How bitter the thought that he had been placed upon the throne by their own act! The Lord bears long with the waywardness of men, and to all He grants opportunity to see and forsake their sins; but while He may seem to prosper those who disregard His will and despise His warnings, He will, in His own time, surely make manifest their folly.
Conflict and Courage p. 154
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Prayer Requests
—–Please pray for Wanda and her family as her father died yesterday. Rose
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Dear Friends,
When my children were little, they could hardly wait for that first snowfall. They would listen to each weather forecast with interest. They would press their little nose against the window and watch for that first flake to drift lazily from the sky. When they would awaken to a world covered in white, their joy would know no bounds. Soon they would be bundled up and ready to play in the fluffy, white stuff. What had been a perfect blanket of whiteness, was soon cut up with their footprints. Snowballs flew, snowmen appeared, Esther Marie’s snow angels dotted the yard.
A new year is upon us. It, too, is like a blanket of new-fallen snow. It, too, will soon be cut up by our “footprints.” What will those “footprints” reveal? Will we have drawn closer to our Great Exemplar? Will we have grown spiritually through our co-operating with Him? Will we have gained the victory over those sins which so easily beset us? (Heb 12:1) What will our record be?
Praise God! Our record can be as white as the new-fallen snow! Our Great Redeemer bids us, “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Isa 1:18 John assures us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” 1 John 1:9-2:1 Think of it! Whatever we had done to muddy up our life, our Dear Saviour offers to remove our filthy garments and clothe us with His Pure and Sparklingly White Robe of His Righteousness. (Zech 3:1-5;Rev 3:18-20)
“In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” 1 John 4:9,10;5:1-4 “Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!” I Cor 15:57
Let us pray as did David, “purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” Ps 51:7 Let us praise Him for His marvelous gift of salvation. (John 3:16,17) “Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” 2 Tim 2:19 Let us daily “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” 2 Peter 3:18
Rose