Hostile Takeover Excuse *COUGH* I mean SURPRISE....
So, in my walk with Jesus in this life. I have seen more than many can imagine, and it's always Jesus that has been there to witness it all and never drop the ball. That being said, with knowledge comes a certain level of responsibility. Thusly, I was led by Jesus to give this lesson via blogpost. Sometimes, the excuse of planning a supposed innocent 'surprise'. Isn't so innocent. Sometimes it's a play for control in an underhanded mix of innocent and twisted evil (something something Jesus don't like luke warm water lol). Let's take a look at scripture:
"14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works." - 2 Corinthians 11:14-15 KJV
Apostle Paul. Apostle Paul always had a way of just breaking spiritually huge concepts down to absolute simplicity. This scripture is great starting out because for me it is a reminder that even after you get into the Acts 2:38 KJV truth, all the bad guys don't instantly scatter. Nooo, what happens is Satan adjusts the form of evil you were used to recognizing before you got in the truth, to something more fuzzy and harder to see.
Which is why remaining sensitive to the Holy Ghost once you get it, is vital to remain perceptive. Thankfully we have scripture to glean some vital lessons from. Let's take a look at the Old Testament pre-#Acts238 church age for a moment. King Saul in this passage is a king, yes, but during this timeframe there were certain things that ONLY holy prophets were allowed to do.
"8 And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed: but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him.
9 And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering.
10 And it came to pass, that as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might salute him.
11 And Samuel said, What hast thou done? And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou camest not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash;
12 Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the Lord: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering.
13 And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the Lord thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the Lord have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.
14 But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the Lord hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the Lord commanded thee." - 1 Samuel 13:8-14 KJV
In my humble opinion, Saul had already been looking for a reason to get around Samuel because he wanted to take control. But he had to wait until Samuel wasn't there to do what he wanted, get the praise and control of the people (which didn't belong to Saul or Samuel, but to God....), while making it seem to the people like he was doing the 'work of the Lord'.
I think Saul thought he could just cover it up, 'surprise' Samuel (he went out to meet/salute him), with what he had done. He offered the sacrifice right? Evil intentions. Saul was well on his way to achieving the goal of transforming into an evil Angel Of Light just like Satan.... Saul wasn't always that way, but its not how you start out, it's how you finish. Saul missed that.
But God saw what was really going on, and Samuel was sensitive and perceptive enough to know what Saul had done and its spiritual significance and implication. Saul was not pursuing the heart of God. In that brief moment it was evident Saul had been looking for an excuse to perform a Hostile Takeover of God's Kingdom and God's people. And then go, 'Surprise Samuel, I had to force myself to do it, but I did it for the Lord....' God is not mocked. This is the reason why Samuel's first reaction was "What hast thou done?"
Because Samuel knew immediately what it meant, but let Saul speak so God would have the record of what Saul actually said in response to being called on the carpet. It didn't change the truth. The scripture above says it best here: "...for now would the Lord have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever. But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart...". Saul was not after God's heart.
Part of me wonders why none of the men around King Saul right before he made this grave error, spoke up. Stopped him. Anything. But all too often, people in these positions never do anything. And on the rare occasions that someone does speak up in truth they get targeted instead and support 'falls back'. But this happened in the Old Testament, left on record for us to learn and glean what we can today.
I say all that to say this, I look for ulterior motives when there's a 'surprise'. It's not always there, but the possibility is legit. Because I've not only read passages like this one concerning King Saul, I've also experienced 'surprises' that really were used as an excuse to gain total control by people who didn't have it, and honestly shouldn't have it. To target or intentionally leave someone out. A tool for peer pressure, etc. It's rarely centered on Jesus. You can't surprise Him anyway! ^_^ LOL He can surprise you in a pure way though! All in all, I take my scripture and life lessons very seriously. And continue to point people to Jesus and His Apostolic Doctrine. Knowing He is our only hope and He has all Power in His mighty hands. #POTSWarrior4Jesus
Comments
Post a Comment