Years ago, I heard a preacher say something that has stuck with me. He said, “When you turn away from God, you don’t turn to nothing; you turn to anything.”
That’s exactly what happened to Saul. When Saul turned away from God and sought his own way, ignoring God’s directions, he didn’t face emptiness. Instead, he turned to whatever he thought might work. The lowest point of his life came just before he died when he sought guidance from a medium.
God’s Silence
God doesn’t respond well to human manipulation. When Saul, who had turned away from God, sought His advice, God remained silent.
When Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him, not by dreams or by Urim or by prophets (1 Samuel 28:6).
Sometimes, people treat God like a car’s spare tire. They keep Him out of sight and ignore Him until they need something. Then, they pull Him out, hoping to get what they want.
Saul discovered that this approach doesn’t work. When he searched for God in his time of need, all he found was silence.
The Medium of Endor
Saul had banished all mediums and witches from the land. But when God wouldn’t answer him, he became determined to get what he wanted. He was desperate to know the future and turned to the evil one for direction.
In a dramatic turn, he found a woman and promised her safety if she would help him. She agreed after a tense conversation. However, instead of getting the answers he sought, Saul encountered Samuel, who delivered a message that caused him great pain.
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, so I have summoned you to tell me what I should do.”
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 just 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 today.
Moreover, the Lord will give Israel along with you into the hands of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons shall be with me; the Lord will also give the army of Israel into the hands of the Philistines” (1 Samuel 28:15-19).
Rudy Ross believes, and I agree, that the medium of Endor didn’t bring a real representation of Samuel to meet with Saul. Instead, Saul encountered an evil spirit pretending to be Samuel. However, this spirit told him the truth about what would happen.
In today’s YouTube video, we discuss how evil can affect people’s lives. It’s a fairly detailed article, and I encourage you to listen to it. I think you’ll find it helpful and informative.
Reflections
Whether people turn to idols or evil spirits, it all comes from one place: the self-centered desire to get what we want.
If God doesn’t give us what we want, we look for another way and seek help elsewhere. That’s how humans get involved with evil.
Jesus offers a solution. He invites us to come to him, learn from him, and follow his path of life. Here are two scripture passages to reflect on as we consider surrendering our lives to him and following his direction.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).
The best course of action is to follow Jesus’ direction in these two passages.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed this passage on YouTube today.
Real Voices 