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1 Samuel 19:8-10 Saul continues downhill - Day 239

Good morning fellow workers in Christ,

While it is not a biblical statement, I think the idea "there, but for the grace of God, go I" comes to mind today.  We have nothing to boast about in our salvation because we had nothing to do with it.  God made us alive when we were dead in sin and trespasses.  I respond in faith because He regenerated me.  So when I see examples in scripture of people who are left in their sin and trespass, I can only thank God for saving me.

Blessings,

Jeff

Downward slide accelerates.  Saul swears to Jonathan that David will not be killed (v6) and David is restored.  David wins a victory over Philistines (presumably more women singing about David and his 10,000s).  Harmful spirit comes upon Saul and he attempts to kill David. While David escapes, that night Saul sends men to capture him, but they are deceived by Michal.

In the past, David's  music has mitigated the influence of the harmful spirit, but the Saul seems to be more and more susceptible.  I think this illustrates the concept of God giving people up to the passions of the flesh.  Another is Pharoah.  He hardened his heart in the beginning but by the end God hardens his heart.  He chose not to let Israel go.  Saul chose to offer sacrifice instead of waiting for Samuel.  Each of them was responsible for the free choices he made.  As they continued in these patterns the offenses become more and more egregious.

Application to me is watch yourself carefully.  A regenerate person can fall in to sin.  He cannot loose salvation, but temporal consequence of sin cannot be avoided.  Marital infidelity has consequences in this life. If we don't take advantage of the ways of escape God provides when we are tempted, we are accountable for falling into sin. 

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