Discover His heart: His Spirit will guide us into all truth
The first time I saw a commercial on late-night television for the Psychic Hotline I laughed and wondered who would ever resort to such nonsense to receive guidance. Well, the laugh was on me. This billion dollar industry has entrapped countless numbers of individuals into seeking advice from counterfeits who can only pretend to know the future rather than receiving direction from the Source of all truth. It’s hard to imagine why the chosen King of Israel would do the same by contacting a counterfeit.
@ I Samuel 28
The story found in I Samuel 28 of Saul’s visit to the witch of Endor probably saddens me more than any of his other sins. To digress from anointed King of Israel, more handsome and stately than any other man, to a panic-stricken, desperate man is tragic. Throughout I Samuel, we read about the steps that brought Saul to this dreadful position, and now Samuel, the spiritual leader of Israel is dead. The Spirit of the Lord has departed from Saul (I Samuel 16:14) and the Philistine army is ready for battle – not a good scenario.
While this appears to be a perfect time for Saul to repent and call on God to deliver Israel, this man who had known and felt the Spirit of God on his life chose to seek out a witch for help. Just as troubling is the fact that his advisers knew precisely where he could find one! Godly advisers would have discouraged this abomination to God and to the king’s own law, “Saul has outlawed all the mediums and all who consult the spirits of the dead.” (9) David certainly had it right, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly…” (Psalm 1:1, KJV)
Scholars have debated over the centuries about the appearance of Samuel. Was he a demonic substitute for Samuel? If so, why did the witch shriek with terror when she saw him? She was the last one who would have been troubled by his appearance. How did the spirit know the future? That would imply that Satan is omniscient and knew the future regarding Saul and his sons dying the next day. Absolutely not! Was the appearance of dead Samuel from God? He accurately read Saul’s mail and foretold the future regarding his death. I have come to the conclusion that…I’m not certain, but lean towards the last thought.
If Samuel’s appearance was from God, does this give us license to consult the dead? Not on your life! Besides the Old Testament prohibitions, the New Testament also denounces it in Galatians 5:19-21 and in Paul’s deliverance of a woman who practiced sorcery in Acts 16:16-18. The big question to answer is why we would need to consult the dead?
When I understand that Jesus holds the keys of death and the grave (Revelations 1:18), why would I consort with an underling or substitute of any kind? Through His Holy Spirit, He reveals truth to us, “But I will send you the Advocate [counselor] – the Spirit of Truth….He will guide you into all truth…He will tell you about the future…the Spirit will tell you what He receives from me.” (John 15:25;16:13-15)
Jesus was speaking to His disciples in these passages, but these words are true for us as well because of the Spirit of truth living in us. Why would I not go directly to the horse’s mouth, so to speak? Through the Living Word, including His still small voice spoken to our hearts, He reveals all that we would ever need to know, and there’s an added bonus. His timing is perfect!
Moving Forward: I call only upon the Spirit of Truth, the Holy Spirit, to reveal to me all that I need to know for today through His Living Word.
Tomorrow @ Psalms 45-47
Phyllis Benigas 