Have you ever had a friend turn from God? Have you noticed how they behave? Sometimes they won’t tell you. Sometimes they go out of their way to avoid you!
How do you respond to the situation? How should you respond?
Reminder, this week we are in 1 Samuel 15.
Over the years, I have watched as folks turned away from God. In many cases, that was the last time I saw them.
In some cases, folks quit coming to church. At other times, the turn was not so extreme by our standards, but it was a turn nevertheless. I could not follow the path they chose. I had to walk away.
In 1 Samuel 15, God gives Saul a task.
Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I remember that which Amalek did to Israel, how he laid wait for him in the way, when he came up from Egypt. Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.
1 Samuel 15:2-3
Saul disobeys, and God reveals what Saul has done to Samuel. When Samuel confronted Saul, Saul lied to him. Then he tried to justify what he’d done.
And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the LORD: I have performed the commandment of the LORD. And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear? And Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites: for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed.
1 Samuel 15:13-15
There is no indication that Saul ever repents. We read that he worships God, but although he says he sinned, he never did finish the task God gave him. Samuel had to go in and finish the job.
And Samuel said, As thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among women. And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the LORD in Gilgal. Then Samuel went to Ramah; and Saul went up to his house to Gibeah of Saul. And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the LORD repented that he had made Saul king over Israel.
1 Samuel 15:33-35
When a friend disobeys God, it affects the folks around them. If they lie to us, and make excuses for what they have done instead of owning up to it, it makes the problem worse. When they do not repent, they really leave us no choice. We cannot follow them.
Notice though, that Samuel mourned for Saul. When our friends do not do right, we should be concerned. We should pray for them.
LIFE APPLICATION
Key Focal Verse:
And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
1 Samuel 15:22
Today’s challenge is to look at your friends. What are they doing? Are they following God? Have your friends moved away from God? If you know someone that is no longer following God – pray for them.