A Foreboding Message
Then Saul fell straightway all along on the earth, and was sore afraid, because of the words of Samuel: and there was no strength in him; for he had eaten no bread all the day, nor all the night. 1 Samuel 28:20
Read 1 Samuel 28:11-25
Saul had disguised himself to prevent the woman with the familiar spirit from recognizing him as the king of Israel. But when she called up the spirit of Samuel, she realized that it was Saul who was before her. The disguise had not helped; the devil was given the ability to see through these treacherous ways. Furthermore, the appearance of Samuel in the spirit was not nonsense. The Lord allowed an accomplice of the devil to make this appearance in the likeness of Samuel. When the woman saw an old man covered with a mantle, Saul declared it to be Samuel. It was not really Samuel who appeared, but this woman was the means the powers of darkness employed to make it appear as though Samuel had materialized.
The message Saul received through this medium was of great importance, for it came from the Lord. It devastated him, and he felt weak from all his tension and anxiety. Saul’s death warrant had been signed. After eating food to recover his strength, the king and his accomplices went away that night. The last days of Saul can be summarized by the word darkness. Those who die without God will be cast into outer darkness where it is night forever. The powers of darkness know no mercy. Only God the Lord is gracious and merciful.
Thought: If we are involved with black magic, we are in great danger of belonging to the devil.
Psalter 415:7,8 (based on Psalm 25) Yea, the secret of Jehovah Is with those who fear His Name; With His friends in tender mercy He His covenant will maintain. With a confidence complete, Toward the Lord my eyes are turning; From the net He’ll pluck my feet; He will not despise my yearning. Turn Thou unto me in mercy; Have compassion on my soul. I am sore distressed and lonely; Waves of trouble o’er me roll. Myriad woes beset my heart, Myriad doubts and bitterness; Thou who my Deliverer art, Bring me out of my distresses.