November 12: CHOICE AND COERCION
The LORD allowed Israel to have a king like the surrounding pagan nations. Samuel anointed Saul in this role after the people demanded a king. The LORD explained to Samuel, “…they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.” (1 Samuel 8:7). Samuel had functioned as a priest from childhood (1 Samuel 2:18) and was regarded as the last righteous judge as well as the first major prophet. Because of Samuel, Saul was very well-acquainted with the requirements of the LORD.
The Spirit of the LORD was with Saul as he began his reign. But Saul formed a pattern of failure to acknowledge God’s leading. Saul was self-deceived to the point that, even in blatant disobedience, he still saw himself as one obedient to divine instructions (1 Samuel 15:13). The LORD, repeatedly grieved by Saul’s actions, withdrew His Spirit from Saul (16:14). Centuries later Paul reminds us of the danger of continually ignoring the divine leadings of God’s Holy Spirit:
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:30
A seal is a mark or a sign of protection. In the sending of a letter, the seal is pressed into hot wax to show the recipient that the letter has not been tampered with. Although the seal is delicate, a good letter-carrier protects it, that it will be intact upon delivery to the intended recipient.
A seal is a mark of authority. When the dead body of Jesus was placed in the tomb, a seal containing the name, title, and territory of the Roman authority was applied to the stone rolled over the tomb’s opening. Guards were put in place to protect that seal (Matthew 27:66), for it was a visible sign of Rome’s presumed authority. A pre-enactment of this phenomenon was the sealing of Daniel in the den of lions by king Darius the Mede (Daniel 6:17).
Beloved, to be sealed by the Holy Spirit, is to willingly accept the mark of the LORD, whose title is Creator (maker), and whose territory is the heaven and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them (compare Exodus 20:11 & Revelation 14:7). In accepting this mark, you place yourself under His protection. Now remain there! (See John 15:9-10.) And live according to the revealed truths of His Word. His protection means no one else can snatch you out of His hand (John 10:28-29).
The day is rapidly approaching when the counterfeit mark will be both legislated and enforced by civil law, most likely under the banner of “saving the planet.” Coercion will be the order of the day. Buying and selling can continue for those with the counterfeit mark. But those who do not compromise, who remain true to Jesus, will be threatened with death.
Remember that you will never be coerced by Jesus. Coercion is of the devil. Should you choose to walk away from the Lord, He will be grieved, but your choice will be respected.
“Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Revelation 2:10