Message Magazine’s Online Devotional for Sunday, October 30, 2016
Listen to “Thoughts in Worship 10.30.2016” on Spreaker.
“And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?” (Isaiah 8:19).
In the days of King Ahaz, as in other eras, the people of God often lost focus. When faced with dire situations, they may have sought the Lord for a season, but if He did not answer as quickly or in the way they desired, they sought other means. When Moses was in the mount with God longer than the people expected, they became impatient.
“And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. And Aaron said unto them, break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me. And all the people brake off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron. And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt” (Exodus 32:1-4). Rather than waiting on the Lord, they resorted to idolatry.
King Saul was under an incredible amount of stress because of his own disobedience. Matters in his kingdom were spiraling out of control.
“And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled. And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams nor by Urim, nor by prophets. Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and enquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor” (1 Samuel 28:5-7). With an unrepentant heart, Saul inquired of the Lord. Because of his iniquities, the Lord did not answer him. Instead of repenting, he demonstrated his lack of faith by seeking a witch, which God forbade.
How often do we resort to evil in order to understand things that are going on in our lives?
How often do we resort to evil in order to understand things that are going on in our lives? The Lord would have us to love and trust Him in all things. He is more than willing to reveal Himself to us in times of need, if we would simply trust Him. We need not consult horoscopes, fortune cookies, or obscure Bible codebooks for understanding. We need not resort to overeating, promiscuity, or unhealthy ambitions for comfort. When we ask Him in prayer, He is ready and willing to lead us, if we are willing to be led. The Bible is our God-given resource for knowing His will. The Holy Spirit will guide all sincere seekers to truth.
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones” (Proverbs 3:5-8).
