Not Really Sorry

Terrified by the denunciation of the prophet, Saul acknowledged his guilt, which he had before stubbornly denied; but he still persisted in casting blame upon the people, declaring that he had sinned through fear of them.

It was not sorrow for sin, but fear of its penalty, that actuated the king of Israel…. It was his chief anxiety to maintain his authority and retain the allegiance of the people…. As Samuel turned to depart, the king, in an agony of fear, laid hold of his mantle to hold him back, but it rent in his hands. Upon this, the prophet declared, “The Lord hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbor of thine, that is better than thou.” …

Saul presumed upon his exaltation, and dishonored God by unbelief and disobedience. Though when first called to the throne he was humble and self-distrustful, success made him self-confident…. The sacrificial offerings were in themselves of no value in the sight of God. They were designed to express on the part of the offerer penitence for sin and faith in Christ and to pledge future obedience to the law of God. But without penitence, faith, and an obedient heart, the offerings were worthless. When, in direct violation of God’s command, Saul proposed to present a sacrifice of that which God had devoted to destruction, open contempt was shown for the divine authority. The service would have been an insult to Heaven.

Yet with the sin of Saul and its result before us, how many are pursuing a similar course. While they refuse to believe and obey some requirement of the Lord, they persevere in offering up to God their formal services of religion. There is no response of the Spirit of God to such service. No matter how zealous men may be in their observance of religious ceremonies, the Lord cannot accept them if they persist in willful violation of one of His commands.
Conflict and Courage p. 158
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Prayer Requests
—–Please pray for the family of baby Zyllah who fell from a loft onto the tile floor. Pray for her twin brother as well as he has a heart condition. Esther
—–We are asking our world-wide and local church family to please pray for healing and strength for our friend, Handerson P, who is currently in hospital with an aggressive knee infection. Handerson has been a vital part of our Sabbath School broadcast music team for many years and today he desperately needs our prayers. Granite Bay Church
—–Please pray for us to find a way to keep or find a new owner for a wonderful lab pointer mix. Graca
—–I need a prayer chain prayer for me and my girls, Kylynn and Tanesyn. In January divorce custody for me to have the girls full time with me. Thank you! Vanessa
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Dear Friends,

For years, David’s life was one of extreme hardship. As a boy, he guarded his father’s sheep by day and by night. This was not an easy life. As a young man, he was hunted like an animal by his own father-in-law, who was filled with an unreasonable jealousy. Yet, through all of these hardships, David kept his eye upon his Only Helper. The strength of his life was his prayer and meditation upon our Loving Saviour, our Ever Present Help in Trouble. Evening, and morning, and at noon, he prayed, and cried aloud to the Great Shepherd of the sheep, knowing that He heard his voice. ( Heb 13:20,Ps 55:17)
As he looked upon the surrounding hills, he thought of their strong protection, yet he knew that his enemies could find him there unless the Rock of his Refuge protected him. He sang, “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help? My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.” Ps 121:1,2 His constant prayer was, “Bow down thine ear to me, deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me. For thou art my rock and my fortress, therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me.” 31:1,2 In the days to come, it is good for us to rely upon God as did he.

Throughout David’s life, his comfort and joy was the time he spent meditating upon our Redeemer. The countless hours looking up into the night sky, helped him to realize how insignificant he was. “When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?” Psa 8:4 Insignificant, yet infinitely precious to the One Who created him. As he gazed across that herd of sheep, he thought of the sacrificial system, and looked forward to the coming sacrifice of the Lamb of God, Who would redeem him from the power of death. <49:15>

Our Dear Saviour used the common things in the life of His hearers, to direct their thoughts to eternal realities. The crowds that listened to His every word, saw new meaning in the everyday events of their lives. Ever after, when they saw a shepherd leading his sheep, they remembered that their Good Shepherd was leading them. A farmer, sowing his field with precious seed, made them re-examine their reception of God’s Word in their heart. Fishermen casting their net into the water, made them realize that they, too, should be “fishermen” for the Kingdom.

We can do the same. Throughout our day, we can think of the One Who loves us with an everlasting love. The common things surrounding us, can become object lessons pointing to the Divine. Washing dishes can remind us of our need to be cleansed by the blood of Jesus. Doing mountains of paperwork at the office can lift our thoughts to the books in Heaven filled with both the good and bad deeds of our life. Working in our garden can reveal our Great Creator’s love and care for us. There is no limit to the lessons that His Spirit can teach us in this way.

Let us pray as did David, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” Psa 19:14 Let us meditate also of all His work, and talk of His doings. ( 77:12) “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Phil 4:8

Rose