was true with the other tribes as well. As a result of the disobedience and disrespect, the people were living in sin and evil before the Lord. They willfully followed after other gods, bowing before strange idols. The Scripture says that "ev ery man did that which was right in his own eyes." (It sounds like the philosophy of this present hour!) God had not forsaken His own people, despite their straying from Him. While He could not bless them, He could send discipline. Their subjects became their mas ters; their friends their foes. To deliver them from their op pressors the Lord raised up godly men and one woman to be their Judges. While they lived the peo ple were again drawn back to the Lord and to His ways. But when the Judges died, the people lapsed again into their wicked ways. (We can see this same pattern evolving in our own nation today.) Then, Israel boldly asked to be like the other nations. They wanted to have a king. This, too, was the devil's desire. He was behind their promptings. God permitted them to have their own will, and Saul, their choice, was given as the rul er. What a dark day in Israel's his tory! The devil could easily move this weak person like a pawn on a chessboard. The Holy Spirit was withdrawn from the new king be cause of his sin and disobedience. Remember, in all circumstances of life, God is still on His eternal throne! David was the one chosen by the Lord to be king of Israel before he was even summoned by Samuel the prophet for the place of leader-
There is No Death There is no death, we only sleep you see; Christ is our transport, and with Him we'll ever be. We never really understand, His great purpose in a life; But we often doubt His sovereignty When our lives are filled with strife. The Master Builder holds the blue print To this life we little know, But arriving on that heavenly shore His purpose will surely show. Christ told His disciples As He ascended heaven's rim; Not to doubt, dread, or dissipate, Because they'd soon be with Him. So life is just a sojourn, And not a place of resting stay; In Him our sorrow turns to song, For He is the only way. For there is no death, we only sleep you see, Christ is our transport, and with Him we'll ever be. — Larry Maib
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