The Lord Departed

1 Samuel 28:16

"Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the LORD is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy?"

One can almost not help but picture a young child making a request of one parent and then the other until the desired answer is received. Saul realized the desperate situation he was in, not having communication with God. But rather than attempt to fix the break in communication with God, he seems out the "other parent", so to speak.

Truth is truth. Whether Samuel was the one speaking or God. This is why we must always be vigilant to know the truth from God's Word, compare any other "truth" to that Standard, and discard anything that does not line up. But let us never do it blindly, without critical thought. Truth is not truth that cannot withstand a skeptical inquisition.

Where do I get my truth? When presented with a painful truth, what is my reaction? Do I attempt to reconcile the truth to my feelings? Or do I reconcile myself to the truth?

Commit Thy Way Unto the Lord

1 Samuel 23:7

"And it was told Saul that David was come to Keilah. And Saul said, God hath delivered him into mine hand; for he is shut in, by entering into a town that hath gates and bars."

Here we have a startling contrast. David is praying to God every step along the way, seeking guidance and wisdom. Saul is doing his own thing in his own selfish way. Yet despite this difference, both men believe that God is on 'his' side.

Which is right? The answer here is obvious. However, Saul's plain blindness, so apparent to us, is completely hidden from Saul himself.

This is a danger we face as Christians today - falling out of the necessary habit of committing our way to the Lord, daily constantly, moment by moment. The result of failing to do this is that we become complacent in our relationship with God, assuming that we're 'close enough'. God still love us and obviously will take care of us so we allow ourselves to believe that we can do whatever and still have God nearby for when we need Him.

This is such a dangerous and deceptively easy place to come to. Do I commit my way to God every day? Or do I rely on my past commitment to garner enough favor to get me by?

A Break in Communication

1 Samuel 28:6

"And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets."

Is there a more desperate place to be than out of communication with God? His silence must be to is the loudest warning knell. It should alarm us and cause us to seek out the reason.

What did I do to sever the ties of communication? Search me and know me, Lord! See if there is any wicked way in me! Find it, purge it. Purge me.

And if He remains silent? Keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking. Like Jacob wrestling the angel - "I will not let go until you bless me!" How badly do I want that communication to be restored? God wants it even more. But He will never force it on you.

What is blocking my communication with the Lord today? What am I doing to repair the break? What am I willing to sacrifice to restore my relationship with Him?

Time With Him

Luke 5:15-16

"But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities. And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed."

There is so much going on in our world, so many distractions. And there is so much we desire to accomplish, for our God, our family and ourselves. There is so little time, life truly is but a vapor, fleeting as a spring flower.

There are so many that must be reached with the Gospel, with the love is God! Our world is on downward slide to Hell, our responsibility is to rescue the perishing. Time slips away, moment by moment.

"And He withdrew Himself into the wilderness, and prayed."

We have a brief record of Jesus' life. We estimate His early ministry time was around three years. Three years! So little time! So many things that had to be done, so many to heal, to feed, to love!

"And He withdrew Himself into the wilderness, and prayed."

If Jesus needed that time alone with His Heavenly Father, how much more do I?

The Ziphites

1 Samuel 26:1

And the Ziphites came unto Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon?"

These Ziphites are mentioned only one other time in Scripture:

1 Samuel 23:19

"Then came up the Ziphites to Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself with us in strong holds in the wood, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of Jeshimon?"

What a legacy to leave behind. No one likes a tattletale. What do you think their motivation was for ratting out David? Possibly there was some reward from Saul or perhaps they got a status bump when everyone found out that they had been the ones responsible for David capture. It could have been loyalty to Saul as well.

Whatever their reason, we can only speculate. However, history has recorded their actions and they are not looked on with favor. Neither did they leave an example to be followed.

With the billions of people in the history of the world, chances of me or you reaching "Abe Lincoln status" or that of some other famous historical figure is not terribly likely. However we leave behind actions, done and undone, that will have an affect on someone.

Will those actions be a blessing? Or an example of what not to do?

The Legacy of Samuel the Prophet

1 Samuel 25:1

"And Samuel died; and all the Israelites were gathered together, and lamented him, and buried him in his house at Ramah. And David arose, and went down to the wilderness of Paran."

In our culture of under here and now, I fear we spend far too small amount of time considering the legacy of our lives. What will my life leave behind?

Samuel's life did not start out very spectacularly. A servant to the High Priest, his father apparently not caring much for him, a loving mother he only saw once a year, in reality it didn't appear he has much going for him. What changed that? When God spoke and called him, he answered, "Here am I, speak Lord, your servant hears."

This willingness to listen to God's voice and obey it is what created such an incredible legacy. What is my response to the voice of God in my life? Whether it comes through His written Word, the still small voice of His Holy Spirit, or Godly counsel, God is speaking to you everyday. Do I listen? Do I obey? What an I willing to sacrifice so my life will mean something?

I want a legacy like Samuel. Do you?

The Judge

1 Samuel 24:15

"The LORD therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand."

Each of us will reach a point in our lives where there is absolutely nothing left but to lay it all down, give it all up to God. As we've seen, He holds us in His hands already, so truly, it is more of an acknowledgment than anything.

David had fled from Saul and remained guiltless. It was the righteousness of his cause and his complete confidence in God's righteous judgment that have him the boldness and confidence to confront Saul.

What is my cause? What am I being unjustly "pursued" over? Is it righteous? How can I remain guiltless? Am I trusting in God's righteous judgment?