April 17, 2020
When Saul saw the camp of the Philistines, he was afraid and his heart trembled greatly. When Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him, either by dreams or by Urim or by prophets. (1 Samuel 28:5-6)
Is it possible that there are times you go to God for counsel and He refuses to communicate to you? It happened to Saul.
UNWILLINGNESS TO HEAR
Saul was the first King of Israel. He was a handsome, capable man. But there was one problem: God would continual give Him direction (through the prophet, Samuel), and Saul would not listen.
He would nod his head in agreement, but then do what he wanted to do. He gave the appearance of a spiritual man to some, but his heart was unrepentant and his actions consistently disobedient. Finally, God tore the kingdom away from Saul and began to prepare another man, young David, to take his place.
But the worst tragedy was God’s silence. When Saul needed to hear from God, God did not answer him. The reason is clear: why would God speak to a man who He knew would not listen? It was of no value to God to waste his words with a disobedient servant.
GETTING OUR ATTENTION
There is nothing that wakes me up spiritually any quicker than when it seems that God is not communicating with me. The reason? I know that my life can bear no fruit if God is not leading me. In fact, it does just the opposite. Jesus said to His disciples in John 15:5, “Apart from Me you can do nothing.”
He didn’t mean nothing would be produced, but nothing of value. Nothing that matters or lasts. Nothing from God. In fact, when we are operating without Christ’s leadership we are sinful and destructive.
When I seem disconnected from God I find myself running back to Him, seeking to find out why. I find myself praying the prayer of David.
Search me, O God, and know my heart. Try me and know my anxious thoughts and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way. (Psalm 139:23-24).
Are you hearing God? If you have never heard from Him, perhaps you are disconnected from Him altogether and need to cry out for His salvation and indwelling.
If you know you are one of His children and God seems distant, "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you" (James 4:8). Let Him search your heart and quickly, fully repent of anything between your soul and the Savior.
Lord, thank You for communicating to us through Your Word, Your Spirit, and prayer. Thank You that You make Your way known to us if we are listening. Keep us from an unwilling, disobedient heart. Help us not to wander so far that Your Shepherd’s voice is distant and unheard. Wake us up when we have walked away from You and bring us back as we repent.
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