OPPRESSION IS NOT YOUR PORTION VIII
1 Samuel 28:15-25
Still on the matter of oppression, we are all familiar about the story of Saul. How God appointed him the first king of Israel. As long as he obeyed God, he was doing well. But there came a time he chose to disobey God. He carried out his own will over that of God. When he was confronted with his sin, he did not show any remorse. Neither did he repent. All he did was give excuses. And so he found no place for repentance. As such, the enemy gained access and eventually a stronghold in his life. He could not hear from God again. His network with his Maker got disrupted and he had to resort to witches!
The issue here is not about the offence but about the aftermath. The difference between David and Saul was that David repented while Saul justified himself. In the same vein and as illustrated in our previous reading, Peter genuinely repented, Judas did not. Beloved, true repentance is a way of throwing off the yoke of the oppressor. Sin is a sign of oppression. That is why Paul prayed that sin should not have dominion over our lives. Sin is an oppression with sequence. It starts with temptation, grows to lust (addiction) and eventually death.
But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. – James 1: 14-15
It ought not be like this. God is all loving and kind. He will forgive if you truly repent. It is oppression if you allow sin to have dominion over you. It is oppression if you refuse to ask forgiveness from God over a matter. You now condemn yourself to sorrow and depression. You can’t even forgive yourself! Judas could not go back to God and he hanged himself. Peter went back to God and he was forgiven and he moved into a glorious future. Don’t chain yourself to a misdemeanor that God has forgiven or can forgive. Leave that oppression and come to Jesus now for a better deal.
ACTION: Mathew 11:28
