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REFLECTION

The cost of disobedience is the theme for our reflection. Disobedience is not following the rules or instructions given to you by an authority figure. “The cost of disobedience” refers to the negative consequences, punishments, or losses incurred as a result of failing to obey rules, laws, or commands, whether from a divine authority, social structure, or parent figure. In 1 Samuel 28, a desperate King Saul, facing a Philistine invasion and unable to receive divine guidance from God, disguises himself and consults a witch in Endor to summon the spirit of the deceased Prophet Samuel. Samuel’s appearance brings a prophecy of doom, informing Saul that God has rejected him, Israel will lose the coming battle, and Saul and his sons will die the next day. We shall reflect on the fact that the cost of disobeying God is death.

When we consistently disobey God and refuse to show remorse and repentance, we shall continue to suffer from anxiety, desperation and begin to live a life of hypocrisy that will worsen our plight. Saul “Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in his own town of Ramah. Saul had expelled the mediums and spiritists from the land. 4 The Philistines assembled and came and set up camp at Shunem, while Saul gathered all Israel and set up camp at Gilboa. 5 When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid; terror filled his heart. 6 He inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets. 7 Saul then said to his attendants, “Find me a woman who is a medium, so I may go and inquire of her.” “There is one in Endor, ” they said.

8 So Saul disguised himself, putting on other clothes, and at night he and two men went to the woman. “Consult a spirit for me,” he said, “and bring up for me the one I name.” (1 Samuel 28:3-8) We are called upon to turn to God and seek His forgiveness and restoration through repentance. We must eschew pride and all forms of disobedience if we want to experience God’s glory in our lives continually.

Again, death or destruction is certain when we refuse to obey God. The greatest tragedy that can ever befall a person is when God’s glory departs from the person as a result of disobedience. This was the cause of King Saul’s desperation that led him to do the forbidden, visiting a witch for assistance. “Saul then said to his attendants, ‘Find me a woman who is a medium, so I may go and inquire of her.” “There is one in Endor, ” they said. 8 So Saul disguised himself, putting on other clothes, and at night he and two men went to the woman…“I am in great distress,” Saul said. “The Philistines are fighting against me, and God has departed from me. He no longer answers me, either by prophets or by dreams. So I have called on you to tell me what to do.” 16 Samuel said, “Why do you consult me, now that the LORD has departed from you and become your enemy? 17 The LORD has done what he predicted through me. The LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hands and given it to one of your neighbors—to David. 18 Because you did not obey the LORD or carry out his fierce wrath against the Amalekites, the LORD has done this to you today. 19 The LORD will deliver both Israel and you into the hands of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The LORD will also give the army of Israel into the hands of the Philistines.” 1 Samuel 28:7-8, 15-19) Dear friend, let’s endeavour to be obedient to God at all times, for the cost of disobeying God may lead to dire consequences. Initially, when he disobeyed God, he was told, “To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you as king.” (1 Samuel 15:22-23). One would have thought that Saul would go before the Lord with a contrite heart; instead, he was preoccupied with wickedness and evil.

Dear friend in Christ, let us heed Paul’s admonishment to the Romans when he wrote, “But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin are death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:22-23) We are called upon today through this reflection to desist from doing anything that offends God and choose a life of humility and obedience so that the glory of God will not depart from us. If we remain obedient to God, He will always be with us, and we will not be desperately looking for answers to our predicament elsewhere or from other deities.

PRAYER

May the Holy Spirit empower us to remain obedient to the Lord so that His glory will not depart from us. Amen.