Seeking Wisdom from Above
Verses:1 Samuel 28:7,8
"Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and inquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at En-dor.And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and went, he and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night: and he said, Divine unto me, I pray thee, by the familiar spirit, and bring me up whomsoever I shall name unto thee."
In 1 Samuel 28, we see a tragic example of what happens when we rely on ourselves instead of God. King Saul, once a mighty leader chosen by God, finds himself in a desperate situation, seeking guidance from a witch. This may seem like a shocking decision, but it's a stark reminder of what happens when we disconnect from God and rely on our own understanding.
Saul had previously removed all forms of black magic from the land, but now, in his desperation, he turns to the very thing he once condemned. This shows us that when we are away from God, we can easily fall into habits and behaviors that are contrary to His will. Saul's disconnection from God made him succumb to the option of consulting a witch, which is a clear indication of his reliance on self.
What's even more striking is that Saul swears in God's name, even as he is seeking guidance from a witch. This shows us that even when we are away from God, we can still use His name and try to mingle our own spirituality with His. However, this is a false sense of security, and it can lead us down a path of destruction.
The main thing to note here is that when we rely solely on knowing the future or seeking supernatural guidance, without using God-given wisdom, we can end up relying on wrong ways other than God. This is not to say that seeking God's guidance is wrong, but rather that we need to balance our desire for supernatural guidance with the wisdom and common sense that God has given us.
As we reflect on Saul's story, we're reminded that our relationship with God is not just about seeking supernatural guidance, but about cultivating a deep trust in His wisdom. When we rely on God's wisdom, we're not just seeking answers to our questions, but we're seeking to understand His heart and His ways. We're seeking to align our lives with His purposes, rather than trying to fit Him into our own plans.
In a world that's increasingly complex and uncertain, it's easy to get caught up in seeking quick fixes and easy answers. But as followers of Christ, we're called to something more. We're called to a life of faith, where we trust in God's goodness, even when we don't understand. We're called to seek His wisdom, even when it's hard to find.
As we navigate the ups and downs of life, let's remember that our reliance on God's wisdom is not just about getting answers to our questions, but about cultivating a deep and abiding trust in His character. Let's seek to know Him more, to understand His heart and His ways, and to align our lives with His purposes.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we come before you today, seeking your wisdom and guidance. Help us to cultivate a deep trust in your character, and to rely on your wisdom in all things. Give us the courage to seek your will, even when it's hard to find, and the faith to trust in your goodness, even when we don't understand. Amen.