Saul: The King Who Fell From Grace Series

There are a number of important lessons for us in the story of Saul. Let’s begin with the clear understanding that we are not to be fooled by the external appearances. Saul was tall, handsome and ruddy. It was easy for people to look up to him. Seemingly Saul had it all. And yet, by Saul’s failure to trust in God, we see how appearances can be so very deceptive. And yet we see that Saul was lacking in some very important fundamentals.

Contrast this with a couple of other personages spoken about in Scripture. For example, few would give a plugged nickel for the little shepherd boy, David. When God sent the prophet Samuel to the house of Jesse in search of Saul’s replacement, dad did not even bring David before Samuel as a candidate. Eventually, it was David who replaced Saul.

The same kind of thing was written about the coming Messiah – Jesus. The prophet Isaiah writes in chapter 53:

“He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” (vv. 2-3)

So clearly, looks aren’t everything. There are qualities that honor God that go beyond appearances.

We also see that honoring God is not just about what we say or how we comport ourselves in public. It is about the walk… it is about how we engage the responsibilities that God has privileged us to have. It is about recognizing that the only real strength that we bring to the task is the grace of God richly and abundantly poured out on us.

Generally leaders who make an impact and who are able to help lead people through challenges – even enormous challenges – are people who have integrity and character - both gifts of God. And this is something that is lived out. It is seen in how people engage others, engage life, in how they live when other people are not watching. Saul’s failure in this area can teach us.

We also see that trust in God is absolutely vital. A leader who trusts only in himself is a leader headed for a fall. Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. (Proverbs 16.18) It is God who leads people in the way that they should go. God demands that we keep our eyes on Him and no other. Motorcycle riders know the secret to negotiating a difficult turn or motorcycle maneuver. They know that where they direct their eyes – that is where the motorcycle is going. It is the same with our walk in life. If our eyes are fixed on Jesus – God will keep us in faith through his Word and through his baptism and lead us toward Him.

Finally, from Saul’s life, we also see that God is not going to be deceived. He cannot be tricked or fooled. He knows how we engage life. He knows how we engage his commands. He knows when we stray and when we are faithful. God honors a life of obedience more than one that endeavors to look good on the outside.