Tune in as Pastor Josh continues preaching through 1 Samuel 14 this morning:
“I, like Saul, am my own worst enemy. I give myself the benefit of the doubt when it comes to my own thoughts and intentions. We naturally trust in our own plans, sometimes even to the extent that we fail to seek God’s timeless instruction in his word, and fail to seek the timely leading of his Holy Spirit. Like Saul, we add to God’s word what we think are pious behaviors. We can add to the list of observances, and teach others to do the same. Or we prohibit ourselves activities and pleasures which God has not restricted. Such activities make us feel spiritual, but are the seeds of man-made religion and the fruit of pride…
But like Saul, there is a greater King above me. Christ our perfect King has already won the victory on our behalf, and teaches us to walk in it through obedience. His favor is already ours, expressed in his victory over sin and death on our behalf. He has rescued us from ourselves; slavery to our own sin and the oppression of our own man-made religions. Christ has established our victory and set before us a path of continual triumph and joy (no matter what circumstance and suffering come our way). And our Great King makes no foolish oaths to my detriment; no well-intended but stupid rules. All of his commands are good, leading to my greatest pleasure and abundant life.”