1 Samuel 31
I want to finish well. How about you? Today (Wednesday) our reading is all about Saul. It's really quite a sad chapter. Not only are the Israelites defeated in battle, but Saul's sons, Jonathan, Abinadab and Malki-Shua, are killed in the battle and then Saul is critically wounded and takes his own life so he won't be captured alive. Then, to top it all off, the Philistines behead Saul's corpse and hang him and his sons on the wall at Beth Shan for all the world to see.
Sad for sure, but also heartbreaking, particularly when you look back over Saul's life. He started strong and in tune with the Lord, but as time went on he turned his back on God and fell farther and farther away. Saul did not end his life well.
1 Samuel 31 is a great caution for us. It lets us know that even as Christians we can get off course. Finishing well doesn't just happen. It takes effort and planning. So what does finishing well look like to you? I'd love to hear your plan. Tami W.
Finishing well:
It’s seems to me that this is a race that you can’t pace yourself in.
I also have found that if you run as hard as you can you run into obstacles that will slow you down. With that said I have found that using the bible challenge help intrigue me to dig deeper! Just take a test! Find out so fact’s you never new buy getting the answer wrong! And dig deep with a fresh sense of discovery.
Thats Steven
Hi, Tami - Saul's story certainly applies in our world today. It seems to me there are more ways than ever to be drawn away from Christ. God has shown me the importance of reading and meditating on scripture and being faithful in small things. He has also reinforced the importance of guarding my heart - ensuring that I don't become complacent and think I can skip Bible study, prayer and fellowship with fellow Christians. I sometimes find it discouraging to realize how fickle I can be. At the same time, acknowledging areas of weakness in my life allows me to seek God's insight and protection in those areas. It also gives me greater compassion for fellow Christians. None of us is immune to the temptations of this world. We must diligently consider where our thoughts and actions are taking us. As much as I don't look forward to experiences in which God asks me to sacrifice something, I find that giving up things that seem important is often a key to realizing their true place in my life. Most often what I thought was so essential turns out to be an option and possibly a stumbling block for me. Have a blessed day! - Loretta
I am a fitness trainer, so I think in terms of consistency. The most important thing in our health and fitness program is to be consistent. I think it should be the same way with God. We need to be consistent with our prayer life and Bible reading. God knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows if we are going to run into problems/challenges. We're in it for the long term. Take it at an appropriate pace so we can finish.