Fano died on ascension day, 2 June 2011. He was the station manager of Radio Khwezi and the president of CFT.

Rev Stegen related how Fano felt God's calling on his life. Many people questioned it and spoke out against it. But we thank God that he obeyed God. If he hadn't obeyed things would not have been the same today. Jesus said in Mark 8:36, "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" We thank God for Fano's choice and how he remained faithful to his calling till the end.

Fano has run the race, and remained faithful to his calling and to His Lord. But we who remain behind need to consider our lives, that we are faithful and do God's will.

"And Samuel said, Hath 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 hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king." (1 Samuel 15:22-23).

Saul was the first king of Israel, because the children of Israel demanded a king. Saul started well but ended badly. Saul was someone who had a very handsome appearance. He stood out head and shoulders above the rest of the people. He was very gifted. He was courageous. You can read what David wrote about Saul and Jonathan in 2Sam 1:17 - 27.

Saul was successful in his wars and conquered nations. But when he disobeyed God he was defeated.

Woe to us when we do things out of our own.

If you obey God, even if you're weak, God will lift you up.

A certain general was asked what kind of soldier he prefers in his army. A courageous, strong soldier but who doesn't always obey, or a weak timid soldier who obeys always. The general replied that he would always choose the obedient timid soldier above the courageous disobedient one.

Because of Saul's disobedience God sent Samuel to him with this terrible word we have read.

God commanded Saul to go and utterly slay the Amalekites, but he spared the king and the best of the cattle and sheep.

Saul became great in his own eyes and that was his downfall.

After Samuel rebuked Saul, he first excused himself, and eventually acknowledged his guilt. But still he wanted to be honoured before the people and wanted Samuel to go with him. That very morning before Samuel met him he also went to set up a memorial to himself. Saul became big in his own eyes and God resisted him and tore the kingdom of Israel from him.

Saul had a beautiful stature but his life was not in accordance with his beautiful outward stature for he did not care to obey God but followed his own wisdom.

In Ps 24 we read, "Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation."

At the end of Saul's life he even went to a witch to call up Samuel for him, because God had forsaken him.

It's no use to try and put your sin in a better light. You must confess it as it is before God.

 

(Tribute to Fano Sibisi)