Saul died for his unfaithfulness to the LORD because he did not keep the LORD’s word. He even consulted a medium for guidance, but he did not inquire of the LORD. So, the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David, son of Jesse.     1 Chronicles 10:13-14 HCSB

Saul was a classic example of a spiritual death. God had appointed him to be the first king of Israel, but Saul had a problem with disobedience. Our Scripture passage explains how he died because he was unfaithful. He had been appointed by God, but he didn’t trust in God. He didn’t obey God. He died spiritually long before his physical death.

In 1st Samuel 15, when he had been instructed to go to war against the Amalekites and destroy all people and animals, he disobeyed God once more. He kept the king alive and also spared some of the animals. When the prophet Samuel questioned him about this, he said that he had carried out God’s instructions but had simply spared the best sheep and cattle to sacrifice to the Lord. Samuel pointed out that God prefers obedience over sacrifice. In other words, He doesn’t want us living like the devil all week and thinking we can make up for that by putting a sizable amount of money in the offering plate on Sunday.

I was looking at a tree near our home the other day. It’s starting to produce leaves. By summertime, I’m sure it will be full of beautiful leaves and will provide cool shade. I used to foolishly think that this meant that a tree was alive. It was only when I had an arborist come out and look at a tree a few years ago that I learned to tell when a tree was dead. He pointed out the change in the trunk and the fact that they began to drop big limbs. A tree can appear to be beautiful and healthy, but when you look closer, you will see it is dying on the inside. Eventually, this eternal death will reach the outside, but it may take a while.

I think this happens to Christians more than we care to admit. We seem to be very productive. We go to church and go through the motions, but inside, there is decay. We may feel worn out and as if a good wind could simply uproot us and cause us to blow over.

This can happen when we fail to be faithful. When we let our fears grow bigger than our faith, it can cause us to begin to die and decay on the inside. When we begin to think we can get away with disobeying God simply because we work so hard or give so much money, we will soon find that it doesn’t work that way.

When we surrender our lives to Christ, we become new creatures. Warren Wiersbe described this as spiritual surgery. The old sinful nature is removed from us and replaced with a heart that wants to be obedient to Christ.

So, do you feel worn out and dead on the inside? Do you feel as though you are just one crisis away from being uprooted and blown over? Turn to God. Trust in Him. In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus said, “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Whether your weariness comes from your sinful nature or from trying to do too much, Jesus can help with that. Give it over to Him and find rest. Obey His commands and trust in Him.

Saul lost his life and the kingdom because of disobedience. He often became fearful and, instead of turning to God, tried to do things his way. God will never honor that. Trust in Him and obey Him, and He will take good care of you. He will help you to be as lively on the inside as you appear to be on the outside.

Have a great day!