1 Samuel 18:10 “And it happened on the next day that the distressing spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied inside the house. So David played music with his hand, as at other times; but there was a spear in Saul’s hand.”
What was this distressing spirit from God? Did God have distressing spirits in some storage space in heaven? Who was this?
Saul at this time had grown belligerent in terms of him dictating the direction of his life and thinking God would simply fall in line. This is what PRIDE and self centeredness can create in the life of a believer. You see, this distressing spirit was none other than the Holy Spirit bringing correction and conviction to Saul. When we are buried in PRIDE the Holy Spirit is an opposition in our life desiring to keep us from destruction.
“Golf immortal Arnold Palmer recalls a lesson about pride: It was the final hole of the 1961 Masters tournament, and I had a one-stroke lead and had just hit a very satisfying tee shot. I felt I was in pretty good shape. As I approached my ball, I saw an old friend standing at the edge of the gallery. He motioned me over, stuck out his hand and said, Congratulations.” I took his hand and shook it, but as soon as I did, I knew I had lost my focus. On my next two shots, I hit the ball into a sand trap, then put it over the edge of the green. I missed a putt and lost the Masters. You don’t forget a mistake like that; you just learn from it and become determined that you will never do that again.”
As followers of Christ we are a people that must continually be learning God’s Word in a teachable and humble spirit and being filled and lead by the Holy Spirit daily. What about you? Is the Holy Spirit a distressing spirit to you because your not humbly listening? Or is the Holy Spirit the great Comforter that He wants to be in your life?
By His Spirit,
Pastor Bill