Cover to Cover
Reading: 1 Samuel 26:1-29:11
Focus: 1 Samuel 28:4-7, 15-19
You ever wonder if it’s ever possible that God no longer listens to someone… that God would turn His back on someone… that God would, heaven forbid, reject someone?! It’s hard to say, it raises questions of our own treatment of God, our relationship with God, and a whole lot of others. It certainly isn’t something that I really want to even consider in regards to my own life, that God would stop listening and speaking…
Yet, here we have the account of Saul, a king who had failed to obey God, swayed by the opinions of man. Before going into battle, he attempted to seek direction from God, but regardless of the means he attempted, he got nothing but silence in return. In the end, Saul resorted to witchcraft, calling forth the spirit of Samuel who rebuked Saul reminding him that his disobedience was the cause for his current predicament.
However we might understand this story, we must stop short of asking, “Would God have spoken to Saul if he had repented?” It is not a question that the story or anyone can answer. But it does raise the point, disobedience becomes a barrier in our relationship with God. How anyone can expect God to listen to the disobedient is beyond me, however, if God so chooses to listen to the disobedient, it is only out of His undeserved grace. There are other barriers to communicating with God, as depicted here, sin and disobedience; as taught in the Gospel, unforgiveness of others; and, most basic of all, a lack of faith.
If you find yourself wondering why you can’t hear God’s voice, it’s not likely that God has stopped speaking, rather that you can no longer hear Him. Then it is time to stop and evaluate your heart condition, your relationship with others, and most importantly, your relationship with God.
Next Reading: 1 Samuel 30:1-31:13
