September 5, 2022
The LORD had allowed Israel to have a king. His name was Saul. Samuel anointed Saul as king 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). Because of Samuel, regarded as the last righteous judge and the first major prophet, 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 he repeatedly failed to acknowledge His leading. Saul was self-deceived to the point that, 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 case of a letter, the seal—readily recognizable—is pressed into hot wax to show the recipient that the letter has not been tampered with. Although a seal is easily broken, a good letter-carrier protects the seal that it may 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. They placed guards to protect that seal (Matthew 27:66), for it was a display of the presumed authority of Rome. A pre-enactment of this phenomenon was the sealing of Daniel in the den of lions (Daniel 6:17).
Beloved, if you have been sealed by the Holy Spirit, you have willingly accepted the mark of the One whose name is Yahweh (the LORD), whose title is Creator (maker), and whose territory is the heaven and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them (Exodus 20:8:11, Revelation 14:7). In accepting this mark, you have placed yourself under His protection. Now remain there! (See John 15:9-10.) As you grow and learn more of His character (John 16:13), show Him that you trust Him by believing every truth revealed from His word and living accordingly. His protection means no one else can snatch you out of His hand (John 10:28-29). You are free to continue growing—or to abandon your training in righteousness. You will not be coerced. Coercion is of the devil. Should you choose to walk away from the Lord, He will be grieved, but your choice will be respected.
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17