Seek Only God 04.10.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Thursday April 10, 2008 and today we are completing our study on the book of I Samuel. Please read chpater 28-31 in your Bible or you can Click Here to read. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=I%20Samuel%2028%20--%2031&version=9

Today we will read and learn about David staying in Philistine territory; and Saul consulting a witch who claims to contact the dead in order to easy his troubled mind over the Philistine army. Today's message focuses on the importance of seeking God and only God for guidance and not evil spirits.

After Samuel became judge, the Philistines were so badly defeated because of his prayer meeting at Mizpeh that they stayed away from the territory of Israel, but there was severe war against the Philistines all the days Saul reigned as king. David, the champion against the Philistines whom Saul was attempting to kill, was somewhere hiding from him; and Samuel, the prophet whom Saul had ignored for years, was dead.

In the final year of Saul's reign, the Philistines gathered together for warfare against Israel. "And the Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and pitched in Shunem: and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they pitched in Gilboa." (I Samuel 28:4). Saul panicked when he realized the size and power of the Philistine armies that were ready to attack. Saul offered a hurried prayer to God, who alone controls the destiny of all battles; but he did not receive an answer from God. "And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled. And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets." (28:5-6). In despiration he searched for a witch to help him. "Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and enquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor." (28:7). How could he expect an answer from God when he had murdered all the priests? He also knew that mediums, spiritualists, witches, and fortune-tellers are an abomination unto the Lord as he even banned them from the land. "And the woman said unto him, Behold, thou knowest what Saul hath done, how he hath cut off those that have familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land: wherefore then layest thou a snare for my life, to cause me to die?" (28:9).

This witch was no help, instead Saul's fears relieved they were increased even more as he saw the appearance of Samuel. "Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel. And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice: and the woman spake to Saul, saying, Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul. And the king said unto her, Be not afraid: for what sawest thou? And the woman said unto Saul, I saw gods ascending out of the earth. And he said unto her, What form is he of? And she said, An old man cometh up; and he is covered with a mantle. And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground, and bowed himself." (28:11-14). The next day Saul, along with most of his sons, including Jonathan, was killed in battle.

Saul was a man to whom God had given great opportunities by raising him to a powerful position of leadership to reign over the Israelite kingdom and endowing him with special prophetic gifts, but his hardness of heart and self-will now had disqualified him as a recipient of God's grace. Because of Saul's history of stubbornly choosing his own way rather than God's way, Saul was disqualified to receive God's blessing. Saul's worst enemy was himself. He had lived a self-serving life.

Power, wealth, popularity, and talents are often great hindrances to a spiritual life. Some still seek guidance from psychics, fortune-tellers, palm readers, and other demon-controlled people, rather than crying out to their Creator in times of great distress and relying upon Him alone.

As we read God's Word, we recognize the evil of seeking guidance from those who use crystal balls, palm-reading, or fortune-telling, in fact, it is an insult to God. "He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." (Revelations 21:7-8).

True success is the result of seeking the Lord's will through reading His Word while at the same time praying to the Lord for guidance.

In today's message Jesus Christ is revealed through the Urim (I Samuel 28:6), which was used to determine God's will. Today Jesus Christ speaks to us through His Spirit when we read His Word. "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come." (John 16:13).

Today's Psalm: 84:11
"For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly."

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
As You call us to walk the narrow path that the majority rejects, we thank You for the godly examples who have gone before us and shown us the way. Such giants of the faith as Abraham, Moses, Joseph, David, Paul and countless others throughout the generations have shown us the way to be faithful even in the midst of adversity. They made great sacrifices in their lifetime to gain an eternal inheritance in heaven. Their sacrifice was temporal and short in duration compared to the eternal pleasures they now enjoy. Help us not to resent the struggles that lead us to seek You in a deeper more intimate relationship. Help us to seek You in all things and to follow Your will and not the will of our flesh. In Jesus' name, I pray......Amen.

Have a great day, the weekend is almost here, you can do it.
God Bless,
Christina

Visit A Spiriutal Guide
www.aspiritualguide.net