A Dark Night
Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and inquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor. 1 Samuel 28:7
Read 1 Samuel 28:1-10
This passage tells us a very gripping and devastating history. Saul had begun so humbly when he was called to become Israel’s king. During his reign, he even forbad the nation from practicing the occult. This sovereign, who had been so highly esteemed, was now confronted with a deadly need. Saul was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled when he faced his strong enemy. The terrible thing was that the Lord did not answer him. Is that really possible? Yes.
Perhaps it is too easily assumed that the Lord is always ready and willing to answer us. If we continually harden our hearts, the time may come that the Lord remains silent. When the Lord calls us and we ignore Him by casting His good counsel to the wind and digging in our heels against His chastisements, then the time may come when they shall call upon me, but I will not answer (Prov. 1:28).
Saul wanted the Lord to answer him when he needed Him most. But the Lord is not obliged to answer those who have forsaken Him. If Saul had prostrated himself before the Lord, confessing his sins, then God would have given him an answer according to His own Word. In the Bible we read that He will receive the most obstinate sinner. But Saul chose another way; he sought counsel from the powers of darkness by going to a woman with a familiar spirit.
Thought: How often has the Lord already called you? Try to make an accurate assessment of this and aim to keep it in mind.
Psalter 214:3,4 (based on Psalm 78) He gave them the land, a heritage fair; The nations that dwelt in wickedness there He drove out before them with great overthrow, And gave to His people the tents of the foe. Again they rebelled and tempted the Lord, Unfaithful they turned to idols abhorred, And God in His anger withdrew from them then, No longer delighting to dwell among men.