25 March | EVERYONE
"Then Saul said to his armorbearer, ‘Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised men come and thrust me through and abuse me.’ But his armorbearer would not, for he was greatly afraid. Therefore, Saul took a sword and fell on it." 1 Samuel 31:4
The black heralds of death were mercilessly approaching that gloomy afternoon in the hills of Gilboa. King Saul was fleeing in despair from the Philistine army. He did not even dare to cry out to God for protection because long ago he had already decided to walk his own paths of disobedience and rebellion.
The battle was lost, and life was wasted. In the distance, a lark sang a sad song as if mourning the tragic end of a king who had had everything to make wise decisions but had lost his way in the dark meanderings of his foolish pride.
In desperation, he asked his squire to kill him so as not to be affronted by his enemies. However, when the servant refused, he drew his own sword and took his life. What a contrast. The armor-bearer did not obey the order for fear of God, while the king had long since heard the voice of his Lord.
“By following the dictates of Satan, Saul was himself hastening the very result which, with unsanctified ability, he was endeavoring to avert” (Ellen G. White, Conflict and Courage, p. 174).
You cannot play with God's voice. The Spirit calls in many ways. Sometimes in the form of a gentle breeze; at other times, in the form of a whirlwind. It may be the smile of a young child, or your wife’s cry. Sometimes it can even be the voice of an animal as in the case of Balaam and his donkey. What really matters is that the Spirit never ceases to call to lead human beings to walk in God's ways.
Take Action
Here is the question that needs to be answered by every heart, including yours: Am I listening to God's voice? Or am I in danger of reaching the point of no return, like Saul? Meditate on it and respond.