SUNDAY September 29, 2019
An Eerie Silence
Now Samuel had died, and all Israel had lamented for him and buried him in Ramah, in his own city. And Saul had put the mediums and the spiritists out of the land. Then the Philistines gathered together, and came and encamped at Shunem. So Saul gathered all Israel together, and they encamped at Gilboa. When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly. And when Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him, either by dreams or by Urim or by the prophets.
1 Samuel 28:3-6
Do you remember how God honored Israel’s petition for a king? God gave them man’s choice––Saul. The only reason He answered Israel’s prayer for a king was to teach them some hard lessons. He would chasten Israel. God knew His people would suffer tremendously under Saul’s leadership. Yet, in His grace, God would set up a man with the right heart to lead them––David.
Saul was a man who could have been used greatly by God. He was tall and good-looking, but shy. On the day of his coronation, he could not be found by the elders of Israel. He also demonstrated a weakness with confrontations. Saul’s capacity for leadership was very weak. In the beginning of his kingship, God led, guided and spoke to Saul. Now, at the end of his life, Saul no longer able to hear God.
As Saul came to the end of his ministry as King of Israel, there was an eerie silence. He inquired of the Lord,but there was no answer. He no longer heard the voice of God and had no guidance for his life. Saul knew God was nowhere to be found, so eventually, he would seek a woman who was influenced by demons––a medium!
A Christian’s life can be used mightily by the Lord. However, it is not how they start, but how they finish that counts.
God does not give us everything we want, but He does fulfill His promises, leading us along the best and straightest paths to Himself.
~Dietrich Bonhoeffer~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!