Post by Woody Williams on Nov 19, 2007 5:53:01 GMT -5
Text for the Day -- I Samuel 28:3-8, 11, 15-17
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Now Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried
him in Ramah, his own city. Saul had expelled the mediums and the
wizards from the land. The Philistines assembled, and came and
encamped at Shunem. Saul gathered all Israel, and they encamped at
Gilboa. When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and
his heart trembled greatly. When Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD
did not answer him, not by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets. Then
Saul said to his servants, 'Seek out for me a woman who is a medium,
so that I may go to her and inquire of her.' His servants said to
him, 'There is a medium at Endor.'
So Saul disguised himself and put on other clothes and went there, he
and two men with him. They came to the woman by night. And he said,
'Consult a spirit for me, and bring up for me the one whom I name to
you.' Then the woman said, 'Whom shall I bring up for you?' He
answered, 'Bring up Samuel for me.'
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 neighbour David.
Devotional
----------
Saul, going against his own decrees and the ancient law of Israel,
goes to a medium to ask her to contact the dead prophet Samuel. Saul
fears the Philistines, and he feels God is silent in answering his
prayers for wisdom and direction. Samuel's message carries little
hope for Saul since he prophecies Saul's destruction and loss. There
is little comfort in hearing from the dead. They cannot change
circumstances nor the judgment of God.
Prayer
-----------------
Help me find my strength in you, O Lord, even when I hear no word
from you. Amen
----------
Now Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried
him in Ramah, his own city. Saul had expelled the mediums and the
wizards from the land. The Philistines assembled, and came and
encamped at Shunem. Saul gathered all Israel, and they encamped at
Gilboa. When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and
his heart trembled greatly. When Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD
did not answer him, not by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets. Then
Saul said to his servants, 'Seek out for me a woman who is a medium,
so that I may go to her and inquire of her.' His servants said to
him, 'There is a medium at Endor.'
So Saul disguised himself and put on other clothes and went there, he
and two men with him. They came to the woman by night. And he said,
'Consult a spirit for me, and bring up for me the one whom I name to
you.' Then the woman said, 'Whom shall I bring up for you?' He
answered, 'Bring up Samuel for me.'
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 neighbour David.
Devotional
----------
Saul, going against his own decrees and the ancient law of Israel,
goes to a medium to ask her to contact the dead prophet Samuel. Saul
fears the Philistines, and he feels God is silent in answering his
prayers for wisdom and direction. Samuel's message carries little
hope for Saul since he prophecies Saul's destruction and loss. There
is little comfort in hearing from the dead. They cannot change
circumstances nor the judgment of God.
Prayer
-----------------
Help me find my strength in you, O Lord, even when I hear no word
from you. Amen