DANGERS OF NEGLECTING GOD

 ANCHOR OF LIFE DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE for SATURDAY, 10TH  DECEMBER, 2022.

Author: PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE – General Overseer

Topic: DANGERS OF NEGLECTING GOD 

MEMORIZE: “Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word.” Psalm 119:67

SCRIPTURE READING: 1 Samuel 28:7-19.

"7 Then Saul said to his servants, "Find me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her." And his servants said to him, "In fact, there is a woman who is a medium at En Dor." 8 So Saul disguised himself and put on other clothes, and he went, and two men with him; and they came to the woman by night. And he said, "Please conduct a seance for me, and bring up for me the one I shall name to you." 9 Then the woman said to him, "Look, you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off the mediums and the spiritists from the land. Why then do you lay a snare for my life, to cause me to die?" 10 And Saul swore to her by the LORD, saying, "As the LORD lives, no punishment shall come upon you for this thing." 11 Then the woman said, "Whom shall I bring up for you?" And he said, "Bring up Samuel for me." 12 When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice. And the woman spoke to Saul, saying, "Why have you deceived me? For you are Saul!" 13 And the king said to her, "Do not be afraid. What did you see?" And the woman said to Saul, "I saw a spirit ascending out of the earth." 14 So he said to her, "What is his form?" And she said, "An old man is coming up, and he is covered with a mantle." And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground and bowed down. 15 Now Samuel said to Saul, "Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?" And Saul answered, "I am deeply distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God has departed from me and does not answer me anymore, neither by prophets nor by dreams. Therefore I have called you, that you may reveal to me what I should do." 16 Then Samuel said: "Why then do you ask me, seeing the LORD has departed from you and has become your enemy? 17 "And the LORD has done for Himself as He spoke by me. For the LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, David. 18 "Because you did not obey the voice of the LORD nor execute His fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore the LORD has done this thing to you this day. 19 "Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with you into the hand of the Philistines. And tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The LORD will also deliver the army of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.""

EXPOSITION:

If we are to sum up the main purpose why created man in His image and care for him, it is to have fellowship with Him and praise Him. The angels in heaven have nothing else doing since their creation than praising Him. Satan knows this too, the reason why he makes it difficult for men to have unbroken acceptable fellowship with God. But as many that have acceptable relationship with God really enjoy Him.

Let us learn from king Saul. He started well with God to the extent that Samuel later said, "When you were little in your own eyes, were you not head of the tribes of Israel? And did not the LORD anoint you king over Israel?” That was when he had relationship with God. But later, he backslided and ceased following God of Israel faithfully. 

The Psalmist says, “Before I was afflicted I went astray...” Psalm 119:67. The major danger of neglecting God is rejection from God. God rejected king Saul because he was not following God in obedience again. Years later he said, “"I am deeply distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God has departed from me and does not answer me anymore, neither by prophets nor by dreams. Therefore I have called you, that you may reveal to me what I should do." 1 Samuel 28:15. Some people today, like Saul, had been rejected by God, yet they are looking for human’s acceptance and praise. “Then Samuel said: "Why then do you ask me, seeing the LORD has departed from you and has become your enemy? "And the LORD has done for Himself as He spoke by me. For the LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, David. "Because you did not obey the voice of the LORD nor execute His fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore the LORD has done this thing to you this day.” 1 Samuel 28:16-18.

Another danger is replacement. As long as someone is no longer accessible to God, he will seek for an alternative who will continue His work. King Saul was substituted with David, even while alive. Do not dare God. The dangers of neglecting God is very great and more than to be endured. Do not be king Saul of this generation. He did not end well.

PRAYER POINTS:

I receive the help of the Holy Spirit to be obedient to God and to value my relationship with Him in Jesus name.

DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  1 Timothy 4-6.