I Samuel 16:14
“At that very moment the Spirit of GOD left Saul and in its place a black mood sent by GOD settled on him. He was terrified.”
“Now the Spirit of the Lord had left Saul, and the Lord sent a tormenting spirit that filled him with depression and fear.”
Some verses are hard to understand, and this is one. How could a wholly good God send evil? He didn’t have to. Saul was terrified at the Spirit’s leaving. He hadn’t felt that way for a long time. In the spiritual world there are forces apart from God. It didn’t take them long to find a room swept clean and waiting, (Matthew 12:44). Israel still thought Saul was their king. Saul knew otherwise but didn’t want to know. He turned aside from our good God and found misery. Why would anyone want to do the same? But we do, repeatedly. Those who walk by faith learn to continually check their orientation to the path. Is a good God still the reference point?
Lord, may I never lose my way like Saul. Keep warning me when I step off the path. I only want to walk your way.