Read 1 Samuel 28:15-17 – And Saul answered, “I am deeply distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God has departed from me and does not answer me anymore, neither by prophets nor by dreams. Therefore I have called you, that you may reveal to me what I should do.” Then Samuel said: “So why do you ask me, seeing the Lord has departed from you and has become your enemy? And the Lord has done for Himself as He spoke by me. For the Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, David… ” (NKJV)
Samuel’s question seeks an explanation for Saul’s sudden interest in God’s direction. Clearly the Philistine threat has humbled him to a place he has not been in a long time. As Paul later says, “every knee will bow.” Unfortunately, for many like Saul that moment will not come until it is too late. His disobedience and unrepentant hatred toward his successor has brought him to his end. Saul is one of thousands of stories that illustrate the importance of maintaining a heart that is tender and humble before God. That’s why our choice to stay in submission to God each day is so critical. If we are determined to live life on our own, we need to understand that there is a point where God will let us. The only way He can wrest us from self-dependency is to let us see how that choice turns out. But when we live every day knowing that we need Him, He is faithful to guide us and bring us the wisdom and direction we need.
– Dr. Mike Clarensau serves as Senior Director of the Healthy Church Network of the Assemblies of God.
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