Evil's Expiry Day: Battle of Mount Gilboa

1 Samuel 31:1-13

Message No. 0527 | Twitter @GodandUs | www.wisdom-speaks.ca

An adage says though a lie runs for 20 years, the truth will catch up with it one day. It does not matter how clever or how crafty and how swift the evil doer is, he or she cannot escape the judgment of God, unless there is repentance. Anyone who makes it his or her life project to hunt down and to destroy the lives of innocent people will find the same fate befalling them sooner or later. This is no harsh talk at all, it’s just reality and if we always shy away from saying it, then our diplomacy might actually be part of the problem, because, sometimes, silence prevents people from repenting.

Since the day David killed Goliath and the women of Israel sang in praise of his bravery and accomplishment, Saul, whose responsibility it was to kill Goliath in the first place, got jealous and instead of training David and establishing him as the head of the army, or, in the least, someone for the army to look up to for strategy and execution, he decided that the poor boy needed to die for saving Israel. Rather than consolidate and establish an unbeatable army that the Philistines and all other enemies of Israel would fear, Saul wanted to extinguish the ‘light of Israel.’

Let me tell you something, a child of God cannot be destroyed. We may see or feel occasionally what we interpret as setbacks, but the Bible says that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

Speaking to his brothers (who sold him into Egypt) in Genesis 50:20, Joseph told them:

“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.”

We will occasionally see challenges and situations that look like hinderances, but the God who dealt with Pharaoh to allow Israel to get out of Egypt is still alive. Just keep on praying and keep trusting Him, your day of freedom is approaching.

Saul spent the entire half of his rulership over Israel to pursue David so he could kill him and prevent him from being king over Israel. The only problem is that the door that was opened by God cannot be shut by anyone, nor can the door He shut be opened by any. God already anointed David king even before Saul discovered his skills. As I have written a few times before, not even the entire military might of Israel could prevent the anointed of God from assuming his position.

In 1 Samuel chapter 31, Saul’s cup was full when Israel’s arch enemies, the Philistines, came calling again. Saul, his sons and the army of Israel went out to battle against them, on Mount Gilboa, but this day was no ordinary day. Saul’s three sons were killed and Saul himself was sounded. Seeing that he had no more power to continue, he asked his armor bearer to draw his sword and kill him. When he refused, Saul fell on his sword and died. Imagine this being the end of such a powerful man! Free at last, David needed to run no more.

There’s an end to every evil, an expiry date to every oppression. It may take time, sometimes, generations, but a day of freedom is coming. Some people may have constituted themselves as lords over others. Some plan to oppress others until they expire, and to transfer powers to their children to continue the oppression. We’ve seen this over and over, in the history of certain nations, but God always rises in defense of His children. As the Bible says in Isaiah 49:25:

But thus says the LORD: “Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, And the prey of the terrible be delivered; For I will contend with him who contends with you, And I will save your children.

There’s only one way out for evil doers – repent and forsake your evil ways and God will have mercy on you. God is waiting for you, please do not let His mercy expire:

For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2).

For everyone out there who is being oppressed, please do not give up, keep on praying and keep on believing, because freedom is on its way. Have a wonderful week and may God bless you!

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 Lord I know that I am a sinner and I am unable to save myself. I am sorry for my sins and I pray that you please forgive me. I am aware that Your Son Jesus died for my sins and I accept Him as my Lord and savior. I surrender my life unto you from this moment. Please take control of my entire being and help me to be obedient to your Word, going forward. Thank you, Lord, for hearing me. I have prayed in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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