Day 103

1 Samuel 15:1-17:31.  “Blame-Shifting 101”

Saul was caught red-handed.  He had again disobeyed the Lord and was confronted by Samuel for his actions.  His response to Samuel’s confrontation was worthy of an Academy Award.  In verses 15 and 21 Saul declares that ‘the people’ are the ones who spared the animals, and then he further justifies the sin by adding the spiritual benefit of sacrificing the animals to the Lord.  It takes Saul three times before he admits to Samuel his wrongdoing.
You do not have to be perfect in order to maintain integrity.  This is what the discipline of confession is for.  Saul was unwilling to admit his sin and to ask for forgiveness.  A person of integrity does the exact opposite.  David was a prime example of this.  David was not perfect, but when he was confronted by Nathan the prophet about his affair with Bathsheba and murder of her husband Uriah, he confessed immediately.  Both Saul and David made mistakes just like you and I.  Are we going to respond like Saul, denying the sin and blaming others?  Or will we respond like David with a soft heart that is quick to confess?

General Questions for each day:
Summarize the day’s Bible passage in your own words.
What thoughts, actions, attitudes or beliefs are addressed in the passage?
How is the Holy Spirit leading you to apply this passage to your life today?