Good News from the Stony Creek Church of Christ

“Behold, I have played the fool” – 1 Sam. 26:21

In 1 Samuel 15:17-23, we read of Saul, king of Israel, but whom God had rejected as king because of his disobedience. Saul was very foolish on many occasions, which is one reason God rejected him as king. But Saul had one redeeming quality: he knew and admitted his foolishness.

Many today refuse to recognize their foolish course and they continue to pursue it. Others recognize how foolish their actions are but persist in them. If the truth were told by all today, I am convinced that there are many who would have to make the admission: “I have played the fool!”

The atheist is playing the fool when he rejects God and his word.

It is beyond me how anyone, with any intelligence at all, can think the universe “just happened.” The order and the system that is evident in all fields of science surely speak of a designer. Whether in dealing with an atom or the solar system, similar design and functions give evidence of God.

Consider these words of the Psalmist: Psa. 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Psa. 14:1 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none who does good.

The disobedient is playing the fool when he rejects the commands of God.

When king Saul disobeyed God, He was told: And Samuel said, “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams (1 Sam. 15:22). God has always demanded obedience from man. Beginning in Eden until the present God expects and deserves obedience.

Consider these words of Solomon: information in no uncertain terms: “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecc. 12:13). Jesus asked: “Why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things that I say?” (Luke 6:46). When one tries to claim the blessings of God before doing His will, such can truly say: “I have played the fool.”

He who trusts in the material things of this world is playing the fool.

Have we learned the truth of what Jesus is teaching in the “Parable of the Rich Fool” (Luke 12:15-21)? We work and we struggle to save and hoard a little of this world’s goods, then it is gone, and/or we are gone. Really, what have we accomplished? Solomon says that it is just “striving after the wind” (Eccl. 1:14,17).

What if we do gain much of this world’s goods, what then? Jesus asks the question: “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Mt. 16:26.

How foolish it is to spend a lifetime in pursuit of THINGS which must then be left behind when we depart this life.

But, Paul shows the wisdom of living a true life of Christianity. Note what he says in 2 Cor. 4:16-18: 16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

Only fools trust in those things that soon perish. It is said that he that works only for the things of this life is smart for a little while but is a fool forever. The Christian puts his trust in the spiritual, the eternal.

To blame others for our own mistakes is to play the fool.

This type of thing started with Adam and even in the Garden. Gen. 3:12.

• Man has been “passing the buck” ever since.
• Truman had a sign on his desk that said: “The buck stops here.”
• Aaron tried to excuse himself for making an idol, a golden calf, by trying to place the blame on the people. Exo. 32:22-24.
• Saul tried to place the blame for not completing his job of fully destroying the Amalekites on the people. Even though he was the king responsible for such.

Some complain, “No one likes me.” If it is true, one should read Prov. 18:24: A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

• In other words, if you don’t have any friends, you should take a long look at yourself for the reason.
• Thomas Edison is reported to have said that his many inventions were the result of “ninety-nine percent perspiration and one percent inspiration.”
• Success, or if you want to call it “luck,” will usually follow the one who prepares the best and works the hardest.
• And those who do not prepare themselves and refuse to put forth real effort are often the ones who cry loudest about the cruel lot in life which is theirs.

Jesus has said, “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world.” Mt. 28:20.

• But that doesn’t mean He will do for us what He tells us to do for ourselves.
• One day, each one of us will stand before the judgment bar of God give an account. Rom. 14:12; 2 Cor. 5:10.
• If we fail that test, we cannot blame God, or Christ or our fellowmen.

Yes, it is very foolish to blame someone else for our failures.

• If we are lost eternally, we can blame no one but ourselves.
• We need to now accept the responsibility for what we do or fail to do. For, in that final day, we will have to.

Conclusion

Yes, Saul said, “I have played the fool.” But I am sure that the majority of us, if we are honest with ourselves, have at one time or another been guilty of the same thing ourselves.

So, let us determine to study and learn God’s will:

• After learning it, obey it.
• Serve God, and our fellowman.
• And be ready to accept all the blame that is ours.

To follow any other course than this will be “playing the fool.”

Visitors are welcome and valued. We meet at 15530 Herriman Blvd., Noblesville. Our phone number is (317) 219-5852. We meet for Sunday morning Bible Study at 10 a.m. and have classes for all ages. Worship begins at 11 a.m. and we have a Bible Study Wednesdays at 7 p.m. A warm welcome awaits!