Focus

Prepare yourself to discern what is and what is not of God today. Still yourself so you can hear how God is calling you.

Read

1 Samuel 28:20-25 (NRSV)

Immediately Saul fell full length on the ground, filled with fear because of the words of Samuel; and there was no strength in him, for he had eaten nothing all day and all night. The woman came to Saul, and when she saw that he was terrified, she said to him, “Your servant has listened to you; I have taken my life in my hand, and have listened to what you have said to me. Now therefore, you also listen to your servant; let me set a morsel of bread before you. Eat, that you may have strength when you go on your way.” He refused, and said, “I will not eat.” But his servants, together with the woman, urged him; and he listened to their words. So he got up from the ground and sat on the bed. Now the woman had a fatted calf in the house. She quickly slaughtered it, and she took flour, kneaded it, and baked unleavened cakes. She put them before Saul and his servants, and they ate. Then they rose and went away that night.

Reflect

Saul finds himself in quite a difficult situation. The army of the Philistines, who were a fierce enemy of Israel, had gathered in a nearby area. As King of Israel, Saul felt compelled to protect his people, but when he sought God’s guidance, he did not receive any response.

Desperate for the assurance that God would be with him if he attacked the Philistines, Saul turned to a medium in hopes of contacting the recently deceased Samuel. Because Saul had expelled all of the mediums and wizards from Israel, he disguised himself when he sought the help of one. When Samuel appeared to Saul, he said, “Why are you asking me when you already know God’s answer?”

Saul was suffering the results of his own actions. Earlier he had failed to do as God told him, so God had turned away from Saul and given the kingdom to David. Devastated that God would no longer communicate with him, and suffering weakness as a result of fasting, Saul fell on the ground.

I find it interesting that the medium and the servants who had been under Saul’s authority took charge. They had listened to him before all this happened, now they are telling him he must listen to them. They got him to eat and made him rest before going on his way. Saul must have felt at a loss as to how to protect Israel without God’s guidance.

There may be times when God doesn’t seem to be answering our petitions, but God has not left us. God’s answer might be no or wait a while or trust me to take care of things. We can try to find the answer we want, but if it isn’t in God’s plan, we will exhaust ourselves and others. If we listen to God, God will listen to us. We are God’s children and God knows our heart and our needs.

Pray

Dear God, we know that we need to wait on you, but sometimes we still get anxious and impatient. When our task seems overwhelming, sometimes we feel desperate. Help us to remain humble and not expect answers in our time, but to wait for your timing and your will. I ask this in name of Jesus. Amen.

Go with God.