The greatest “could have been” athlete in sports history was Len Bias. He was a star college basketball player at the University of Maryland, picked second in the 1986 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics. By all accounts, he was a very joyful player who would have become Michael Jordan’s rival. He was ready to sign a multi-million-dollar shoe contract and a hopeful NBA future when his life ended tragically. Less than 48 hours after the Draft, he was found dead of a cocaine overdose. The Celtics retired his never-used #30 jersey as fans mourned his death and what could have been.

1 Samuel 28:31- The Fall of Saul

The final chapters of Saul’s story are just as tragic as Bias’s and show the consequences of not trusting God. Saul failed to listen to God for years, which finally led to Him no longer speaking to Saul. Saul went so far as going to a witch to talk to Samuel’s spirit for advice on his battle. This was against God’s laws, but God permitted him to speak to Saul through His power, which led to words that summed up his life: “You did not obey the Lord.” Saul not only lost the battle but later took his own life. It was a terrible ending for such a promising beginning.

 The Kingdom Coach and Athlete set their wills and hearts to obedience, even when they are “intensely distressed.” They recognize that God can even use the wicked to accomplish His purposes.

Bible Memory Verse – “Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented for him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had removed from the land those who were mediums and spiritists. 1 Samuel 28:3 (LSB)