SOAP 06/05/2015; 1 Samuel 13:11-12

Today's reading: 1 Samuel 13

S ) "¹¹ But Samuel said, 'What have you done?' And Saul said, 'Because I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the appointed days, and that the Philistines were assembling at Michmash, ¹² therefore I said, "Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not asked the favor of the LORD." So I forced myself and offered the burnt offering.'"

1 Samuel 13:11-12 (NASB)

O) Saul made a destructive, but common mistake. This is a perfect example of blame-shifting. In many ways, this highlights the difference between Saul and David. Both of these kings made grave mistakes, even regarding the priestly order (where Saul sacrificed offerings himself (v.9), and David ate the showbread (see Matthew 12:3-4)). The big difference, though, is the reaction these men had. David repented whenever he was confronted with his sins, but Saul tried to make excuses.

A) This is not original to Saul, and it certainly did not end with him. We can see Adam blame-shifting in the story of the Fall of Man. Thousands of years later, I have found myself tempted to shift blame when I have sinned. It's not usually a sense of trying to justify my sins, so much as it seems to be that I naturally try to mitigate my guilt. Remembering stories where blame-shifting, not only didn't work, but costs the men even more than their initial sin - these cautionary tales should help me remember humility. David was described as a "man after God's heart" (even in this same chapter, v.14). That quality, as David is described as having, is clearly the heart of confession of sins, and repentance.

P) Father, You are omnipotent. There is no fooling You. You are completely just, and there is no arguing my case, or pleading for a lesser punishment. You are completely sovereign, and in my sins, I am completely guilty. Change my heart, Lord, that I would lose the impulse to shift blame. Let me confess my sins plainly to You, and to anyone against whom I have sinned. Please forgive my sins, not because of my own cleverness, not because of anything I can say or do. Please forgive my sins because of the work of Jesus Christ, and to Your glory. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.