In what ways can we ensure our decisions align with God's will today? Setting the Scene: Saul at Endor 1 Samuel 28:25: “Then she set it before Saul and his servants, and they ate. And they rose up and went away that night.” • Saul, once anointed king, now eats a hurried, dimly lit meal in a witch’s house—far from prayer, priest, or prophet. • Every step in this chapter shows a leader who drifted from God’s clear commands (Deuteronomy 18:10-12). • The verse illustrates the loneliness and confusion that follow choices made apart from God’s direction. Consequences of Ignoring God’s Voice • Spiritual silence: “When Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD did not answer him” (1 Samuel 28:6). • Panic-driven shortcuts: consulting a medium even after banning such practices. • Emotional and physical exhaustion: Saul lies on the ground “filled with fear” (v. 20), then staggers off into deeper darkness (v. 25). • Loss of godly influence: servants follow, but no one speaks truth. Principles for Aligning Decisions with God’s Will Seek the Written Word • “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). • Compare every decision with clear Scripture; God never guides contrary to His revealed truth. Pursue Prayerful Dependence • “Call to Me and I will answer you” (Jeremiah 33:3). • Bring desires, fears, and plans before the Lord until His peace replaces anxiety. Trust and Obey • “Trust in the LORD with all your heart… He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6). • Obedience positions the heart to discern; disobedience, like Saul’s, clouds judgment. Invite God-fearing Counsel • “In an abundance of counselors there is victory” (Proverbs 24:6). • Lean on mature believers who handle Scripture faithfully rather than voices that merely echo personal wishes. Test by the Spirit’s Peace and Fruit • “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts” (Colossians 3:15). • Decisions aligning with God produce love, joy, peace, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Wait When Direction Is Unclear • “Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him” (Psalm 37:7). • Silence from heaven is an invitation to pause, not to plow ahead into forbidden territory. Surrender Outcomes • “Not my will, but Yours, be done” (Luke 22:42). • Release control, trusting His wisdom even when the path feels costly. Guard Against Sinful Shortcuts • Avoid anything explicitly forbidden in Scripture—occult practices, unethical schemes, deceptive speech—no matter how urgent the situation appears. Living Differently from Saul • Stay in consistent fellowship with God rather than seeking last-minute fixes. • Feed your soul on Scripture and prayer instead of hurried, worldly solutions. • Walk into each new day confident that His will, revealed and obeyed, leads out of the night and into lasting light. |
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