1 Samuel 28:15-18
15 Then Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” Saul answered, “I am in great distress, for the Philistines are warring against me, and God has turned away from me and answers me no more, either by prophets or by dreams. Therefore I have summoned you to tell me what I shall do.” 16 And Samuel said, “Why then do you ask me, since the Lord has turned from you and become your enemy? 17 The Lord has done to you as he spoke by me, for the Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, David. 18 Because you did not obey the voice of the Lord and did not carry out his fierce wrath against Amalek, therefore the Lord has done this thing to you this day.
Saul is worried about his circumstances, so he seeks God. But he doesn't get an answer, so he gets desperate and calls on a medium. It is interesting how Saul claims interest in knowing what God wants him to do, yet his previous actions ignored God's commands. He has spent years continuing as king despite Samuel's warning that the kingdom will be taken from him, and he has spent years trying to kill David. But now with his back against the wall he wants God "to tell me what to do". In truth, he wants God's blessing, but doesn't want to obey God in all things. Even after hearing God's word from the spirit, he still goes out to battle. Unfortunately, we are often like Saul, wanting God's blessing but refusing to obey God when He tells us things we don't like. This is essentially what happens when we want God’s blessings but also want to continue in sexual immorality. In that case our spiritual life is crippled by our sin and rebellion against God.
Lord, I confess to wanting Your blessing without submitting to Your will. Forgive my rebellious heart, and help me learn to obey You in all things.
15 Then Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” Saul answered, “I am in great distress, for the Philistines are warring against me, and God has turned away from me and answers me no more, either by prophets or by dreams. Therefore I have summoned you to tell me what I shall do.” 16 And Samuel said, “Why then do you ask me, since the Lord has turned from you and become your enemy? 17 The Lord has done to you as he spoke by me, for the Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, David. 18 Because you did not obey the voice of the Lord and did not carry out his fierce wrath against Amalek, therefore the Lord has done this thing to you this day.
Saul is worried about his circumstances, so he seeks God. But he doesn't get an answer, so he gets desperate and calls on a medium. It is interesting how Saul claims interest in knowing what God wants him to do, yet his previous actions ignored God's commands. He has spent years continuing as king despite Samuel's warning that the kingdom will be taken from him, and he has spent years trying to kill David. But now with his back against the wall he wants God "to tell me what to do". In truth, he wants God's blessing, but doesn't want to obey God in all things. Even after hearing God's word from the spirit, he still goes out to battle. Unfortunately, we are often like Saul, wanting God's blessing but refusing to obey God when He tells us things we don't like. This is essentially what happens when we want God’s blessings but also want to continue in sexual immorality. In that case our spiritual life is crippled by our sin and rebellion against God.
Lord, I confess to wanting Your blessing without submitting to Your will. Forgive my rebellious heart, and help me learn to obey You in all things.