“So Saul died for his unfaithfulness which he had committed against the Lord, because he did not keep the word of the Lord, and also because he consulted a medium for guidance. But he did not inquire of the Lord; therefore He killed him, and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse.”
I Chronicles 10:13-14 NKJV
Dangerous
We have deceived ourselves into thinking that the God we serve is powerless, that He sits idly by and does nothing as we disobey, sin and consult other gods. We have mistaken His patience and grace for powerlessness, and have ignored the convicting whispers that are meant to guide us.
Periodically we are given reminders in real time, as we are horrified by the fall of renowned pastors and others who have trod upon the holy truth of the Lord, showing disrespect to the very God who created them, and holds their next breath. In some cases the Lord may have killed them.
Reading I Chronicles chapter ten this morning, I read once again of King Saul, one who had fallen so far, after being exalted by the Lord. He had disobeyed the Lord, opting to not keep HIs word. In the depths his fall, Saul consulted a medium, rather than the Lord. Therefore lord killed Him.
I can tell you that I have felt the fire of the Lord’s correction, and it is only by His grace that I live. I suspect there are many others who have had grievous, mournful pain come into their lives. In Most cases, it is the natural consequence of living in a sinful and fallen world, but in others it is a result of disobedience, as the Lord seeks to bring about conviction in the life of His saints.
The best way to be inoculated from the dangers of falling into disobedience, is to seek daily the counsel of the word of God. We have great advantage as followers of Jesus for we have the completed word, and we have the Holy Spirit to guide us.
Never take for granted the presence of the Lord with in you, and do not seek the counsel of mediums of the world. Know that the word of God is living and constantly relevant, even as the world we live in ever changeable, making down up, and up down.
The word of God is unchanging.
“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”
Hebrews 4:12-13 NKJV
The word not only informs us of what is in the mind of God, but it informs on us, as it establishes a two way communication between the word and the Spirit of God. There is nothing we can hide from Him.
Brothers and sisters, it is easy to find oneself leaning the wisdom of the world, thinking it is right, but we must be always mindful that the wisdom of the flesh brings only sin and death. At its best, it creates more problems than it could ever solve, and what problems it seems to solve are only temporary fixes, that leave gaping holes when they eventually fail.
The Lord is returning soon, and He will bring lasting justice to the world. In time that we are waiting, let us be faithful to follow Jesus, and faithful to go and tell, doing so with a constant sense of His loving danger. Let us remember that God is for us, and let us also remember that it is dangerous things to be in the hands of an angry God.
I think of a picture I once saw of the powerful talons of a mother eagle gently encompassing the frail frame of her baby eaglet. So much love and gentleness, and so much frightful power.
The Father encompasses us with the greatest power in the Universe, and He is for us.
“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?”
Romans 8:31-32 NKJV
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Musings from an idle mind 
Like you Bernie, I have experienced both kinds of suffering. I am deeply grateful for a loving father, and his word made flesh, and his word written down.
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