Sunday June 13, 2021
Theme : " How long will you be steeping on both sides? " Text : 1 Samuel 28: 1-18
1. At that time the Philistines gathered their troops and formed an army to make war against Israel. Achish said to David, You know that you will come with me to the army, you and your people. 2. David answered Achish, “You will see what your servant will do. And Achish said to David, Therefore I will give you custody of me forever. 3. Samuel was dead; all Israel had mourned him, and they had buried him in Ramah, in his city. Saul had removed from the land those who spoke of the dead and those who predicted the future. 4. The Philistines gathered together, and came to encamp at Sunem; Saul gathered all Israel together, and they encamped in Gilboa. 5. At the sight of the camp of the Philistines, Saul was seized with fear, and a violent trembling took possession of his heart. 6. Saul inquired of the Lord; and Jehovah did not answer him, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets. 7. And Saul said to his servants, Seek me a woman who speaks of the dead, and I will go and inquire of her. His servants said to him, Behold, in En Dor there is a woman who speaks of the dead. 8. So Saul disguised himself and took other clothes, and he went with two men. They arrived at the woman's house at night. Saul said unto him, Predict the future to me, calling unto me a dead man, and bring up to me whomever I shall tell thee. 9. The woman answered him, Behold, thou knowest what Saul did, how he cut off out of the land those who speak of the dead, and those who foretell the future; why are you setting a trap for my life to kill me? 10. Saul swore to him by the Lord, saying, The Lord liveth! no harm will happen to you for that. 11. The woman said, Who do you want me to bring you up? And he said, Bring up Samuel for me. 12. When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud cry, and said to Saul, Why have you deceived me? You are Saul! 13. The king said unto him, Fear not; but what do you see The woman said to Saul: I see a god coming up from the earth. 14. He said to him: What face is he? And she answered: He is an old man going up and he is wrapped in a cloak. Saul understood that it was Samuel, and he bowed his face to the ground and bowed himself. 15. Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you troubled me, bringing me up? Saul answered, I am in great distress: the Philistines are waging war against me, and God is withdrawn from me; he answered me neither by prophets nor by dreams. And I called you to let me know what to do. 16. Samuel said, “Why then do you ask me, seeing the Lord departed from you and become your enemy? 17. The LORD will treat you as I promised you on his behalf; the Lord has torn the kingdom from your hand, and given it to another, to David. 18. Thou hast not obeyed the voice of Jehovah, neither did you cause Amalek to feel the fierceness of his anger: therefore Jehovah has dealt with you this day.
Let us remember :
Saul had succeeded in destroying the reign of the devil; he had removed from the land those who spoke of the dead and those who predicted the future. It is an extraordinary feat to the glory of God; it is a good symbol of worship to purify a whole country in this way. When he heard the sound of boots of war, he was afraid and ran to inquire of the Lord. It is also good to seek the approval of God. However, the silence of God made him turn away from what he had vomited; towards those who evoke the dead. He had grown impatient and unfaithful; instead of humbling oneself before God to solicit his mercies; he went out of the way of salvation. This is what happens to us every time in our lives. We surrender to God then when we do not find satisfaction; we are going back to serve the gods of this century; we are on both sides. This attitude is severely punished by God. Let’s be true to God. Excellent Sunday. Amen Alain Louz.-
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