Read

1 Samuel 26:1-29:11
1 Chronicles 12:19
Psalm 56

Think

1 Samuel 28:5-7, "When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid; terror filled his heart. He inquired of the Lord, but the Lord did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets. Saul then said to his attendants, ‘Find me a woman who is a medium, so I may go and inquire of her.'"

F.E.A.R. - False Evidence Appearing Real - can make us act a bit crazy. Suspicion and paranoia take over and, in desperation, we seek comfort and answers in the wrong places.

Saul spent a lifetime relying on the prophet, Samuel, for answers and direction. When Samuel died, Saul experienced the deafening silence of God. Separated from God's wisdom and direction, Saul gave in to fear and took matters into his own hands as the Philistine army loomed large. In his quest for answers, he summoned a medium - though God despised such practices. But he didn't find the comfort he desired.

Whose spirit was Saul trying to conjure up? None other than God's man, Samuel! Not through the medium's ability, but by God's divine power, Samuel did indeed appear with a final message of rebuke and consequence. Imagine the blood draining from Saul's face and his heart beating through his chest as the deceased prophet reminded Saul that he was God's enemy - with the added fact that he would die and Israel would be defeated the next day.

Like Saul, we can find ourselves succumbing to fear and looking for answers in the wrong places when we can't hear God's voice. Nonetheless, we simply can't afford to sidestep God's will and seek truth elsewhere. We'll quickly realize that disobedience never pays, and God's direction is always worth the wait! So, don't allow FEAR to overrule your trust in Him. Even when God seems silent, we can find comfort in His Word. Therefore, seek God's will first and choose obedience. Trust that no matter what opposing force looms large before you, He may not take you where you think you need to go, but He'll always lead you in the right direction.

Pray

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your wisdom and guidance. Help me to wait on You when I am unsettled by fear. Let me walk in the peace that only You can bring in times of uncertainty. In Jesus' name, Amen.