Saul's Sad Story

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I am almost to the end of King Saul's story in the Old Testament.

His is a very sad life.

After being anointed as king, he went on to make numerous foolish and sinful choices: refusing to obey God's instructions to completely wipe out the Amalekites, offering sacrifices to God instead of waiting on Samuel, the priest, to perform them properly, and being fiercely jealous and pursuing David, his best warrior, with the intent to kill him (see 1 Samuel 15, 18, and 19)...just to name a few!

There are many elements of Saul's story that just gives me chills, like when God's spirit departed from him and God sent an evil spirit to torment him (see 1 Samuel 16).  Oh, how I would never want to be in his shoes!

But I think what is most disturbing about Saul's life is how it came to an end.  I don't mean the part where he attempts to kill himself in battle, and then calls out to an Amalekite warrior (oh the irony!) to put an end to his anguish upon his very own sword.  Don't get me wrong, that IS very upsetting! But, the part I find even more distressing is that Saul no longer heard from God.

Let's check out Saul's story in 1 Samuel 28, starting with verse 6:

"And when Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him, either by dreams, or by Urim, or by prophets. Then Saul said to his servants, 'Seek out for me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her.' And his servants said to him, 'Behold, there is a medium at En-dor.'"

This passage reveals that God did not answer Saul's prayers, give him dreams, speak to him through the casting of priestly lots (Urim), or guide him through godly counsel.  We see that in the final days of Saul's life, Saul was so desperate to hear from God that he actually consulted an occultic medium (a group of folks he had outlawed, ironically enough) for guidance.

What follows has to be one of the strangest parts of the Bible (aside from the visions of Ezekiel or Revelation, perhaps!).  Through this medium at En-dor, the prophet Samuel was summoned from the dead and goes on to tell Saul about his imminent demise:

"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.' And Samuel said, 'Why then do you ask me, since the Lord has turned from you and become your enemy? 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.  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.  Moreover, the Lord will give Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons shall be with me. The Lord will give the army of Israel also into the hand of the Philistines.'" 1 Samuel 28: 15-19

We see here that Saul was so desperate to hear's God voice, so desperate for comfort and for guidance...but that it was too late for him.  He had rejected God and his role of being a godly king to God's people.  A friend of mine recently shared with me that what disturbs her most about Saul's story is the fact that after this frightening encounter with the spirit of Samuel, Saul "walked out into the night."

Both literally and spiritually, Saul is left to wander in darkness, apart from God and His wisdom.

Ugh.

But praise be to God that our story can be a very different one!  Fortunately for us as believers, we do not have to go without hearing from God and being enlightened by His Word and His wisdom and His guidance!

As believers, we have the promise of always hearing His voice, as the sheep know the voice of their shepherd.

John 10:3-5 tell us, "The sheep hear his [Jesus'] voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.  A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers."

We, as God's children are lavished with God's wisdom and guidance and counsel, at every step, in every moment, if we only ask Him for it!

James 1:5 tells us, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him."

Isaiah 30:21 says, "And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,' when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left."

Jeremiah 33:3 proclaims, "Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known."

Do you see Him around you, dear friend?

Do you hear His voice all throughout the day?

Even if you feel like you are in a "dry" period as a follower of Christ, you can always encounter His beauty and His glory, as you faithfully open His word each day, and as you look around at the natural world with wonder and awe.

I'd encourage you to ask Him for this, if you do not experience it regularly right now, dear friend!  I know He will be faithful to speak to you, guide you, and enlighten your heart and mind as you genuinely ask Him and seek Him.  Unlike with Saul, God will never turn away from you if you are repentant and earnestly seek Him, because He forsook Christ on the cross in our place.

Oh, may we just bask in the amazing communion we enjoy with the God Almighty of the Universe, this week, dear friend!  May it give you and yours joy and blessings, each and every day.