1 Samuel 19:18-23 So David fled and escaped, and went to Samuel at Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and stayed in Naioth. Now it was told Saul, saying, "Take note, David is at Naioth in Ramah!" Then Saul sent messengers to take David. And when they saw the group of prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as leader over them, the Spirit of God came upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied. And when Saul was told, he sent other messengers, and they prophesied likewise. Then Saul sent messengers again the third time, and they prophesied also. Then he also went to Ramah, and came to the great well that is at Sechu. So he asked, and said, "Where are Samuel and David?"And someone said, "Indeed they are at Naioth in Ramah." So he went there to Naioth in Ramah. Then the Spirit of God was upon him also, and he went on and prophesied until he came to Naioth in Ramah. NKJV.
Of Suicidal Spit & The True Signs of Salvation
Just in case you didn’t know, the collective name for a gathering of prophets, is in fact ‘A School of Prophets!’ Now from our text tonight please note that there appears to be no geographical place called Naioth which is currently known. However, as the Hebrew word here word means ‘dwellings’, some believe that it is likely that Naioth was in fact the name of the collegiate residence of this school of prophets, in, or maybe just outside, Ramah. The great water cisterns in that place, I believe could be seen as metaphors for the gathering of that same spirit of prophecy that resided there like an enveloping cloud. So much so, that people entering the cloud became wet with capacity, overwhelmed with propensity and overcome by the ability to speak forth words from God. The old questioning saying of ‘Is Saul also among the prophets?’ is resurrected here, because of the manifestation of this gift upon him in particular. My answer to that question is a resounding "No".
There was a man sent by Jesus who also gathered himself into another collective grouping: the assembly of the apostles. This man was sent to heal the sick, raise the dead, and in the so doing, he lived by faith, enjoying the life of an itinerant minister, eating frugally and thankfully, yes, blessing the people and heartily preaching the coming of the Kingdom of God. (Matthew 10:1-13). His name was Judas and he sold his Master for thirty pieces of silver. I have lived long enough to see a number of nationally applauded, well-loved and well-respected preachers, teachers and so called miracle workers, all ‘go to the wall.’ Yes, I have seen their suicidal spit drench the cheek of Christ. I tell you tonight friends, that even though the whole of the Christian world would in embarrassed shame rather forget these symbols of our own culpable gullabilty, these dreadful disasters are never the less of great importance to us, for they teach us that neither gifting nor anointing is a sign of true salvation. No, there are in the end only two real signs of this: The Fruit of The Holy Spirit and perseverance in the Faith. Scary, but true.
Listen: - And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God." (Acts 14:21-23 NKJV.)
Pray:- Stick with me O God and then I shall indeed stick at it. Amen.
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