Repentance is Always an Option: 1 Samuel 28:15-19
As long as there is breath in our lungs, repentance is always an option. No action on our behalf takes us too far for God to reach us. No matter how far we walk away, all we need to do is call upon the Lord. He is willing to save if we repent.
Saul gives an interesting response to Samuel’s query about why he brought Samuel up. Essentially, Saul tells Samuel the Philistines are attacking, and he needs someone to make a decision for him. Saul can’t figure out the right course of action. He’s panicking.
Saul must have an internal desire to end his life as ironically as possible. He started his reign being sought by Samuel on God’s agenda; he ends his life seeking Samuel for his own agenda. God abandoned Saul because Saul wouldn’t listen and stubbornly chose his own path; he ends his life being unable to decide what he wants to do.
Saul flipped the script completely. This is what happens when we abandon God and seek our own ways. We go along for a time while things look good. Our decisions feel like they pay off, so we stray even further from God. Eventually we stray far enough our plans come crashing down around us. We stray far enough we can no longer feel God’s presence to help get us back on track. We make our bed in sin and then lie in the consequences.
Samuel tells Saul nothing Saul doesn’t already know. Samuel reminds Saul how God tore the kingdom away from him because of the Amalekites. Samuel reminds Saul how David is already chosen to be king after Saul. Perhaps most damning is Samuel’s first words to Saul, where he reminds Saul how God has become Saul’s enemy.
Saul heard all this before, and he did not take the time to repent. Saul did not turn from his wickedness and seek the Lord. Saul did not change his heart and align himself with God. Some estimate David was exiled under Saul for seven or eight years, and the story of the Amalekites was before David’s exile, even! Saul had plenty of time to repent. He had opportunity to change his behavior and work on his heart. He didn’t.
Samuel tells Saul he is destined to die in the battle with the Philistines. Not only will Saul die, but so will his sons. Being still alive, Saul still has time to repent. The greater consequences, unfortunately, are already in motion. Saul cannot avoid his death, but he can affect whether he dies stubbornly apart from God or in God’s forgiveness.
We all have this choice. We all come face to face with the consequences of our choices. We may not be able to avoid them, but we can allow the consequences to bring us back to God. As long as there is breath in our lungs, repentance is always an option.
