[One-Verse Meditation]

1 Samuel 28:6 (NIV)

“He inquired of the Lord, but the Lord did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets.”

[Meditation]

Once again, the Philistines gathered their forces to fight against Israel. And now David—the mighty warrior—was no longer with Israel, but seemed to be on their side. They must have felt as though they had gained an overwhelming advantage. By this time, the prophet Samuel was already dead. With no clear way to hear the word of God, Saul looked out at the Philistine army and was filled with fear.

In his desperation, Saul sought the Lord by every means available to him. Yet God gave him no answer. First Chronicles 10:13–14 explains why:

“he did not keep the word of the Lord and even consulted a medium for guidance, and did not inquire of the Lord. So the Lord put him to death”

So although Saul appeared to inquire of the Lord, Scripture says that he did not truly seek Him. Saul was not longing for God’s will—he was seeking an answer for his own safety. Many theologians describe this silence from God as the silence of judgment.

And Saul’s next move reveals the true condition of his heart. When he received no answer from the Lord, he immediately turned to a medium. In doing so, he showed that his prayer had really been centered on himself.

The same warning speaks to us. Prayer is not simply bringing our desires to God and asking Him to fulfill them. Prayer is learning to desire that His will be done in our lives. That is the prayer of God’s people. Our prayers often begin with ourselves—because that is where our need is felt. But they must not stay there. They must always lead us to the Father’s will. And that is how we live, here and now, in the kingdom of God: under the good and gracious will of our Father.

[Prayer]

Lord, thank You for teaching me to live by the prayer You have given us. Through my weakness, You bring me to my knees before You, and there You let me taste the fullness of life. May this day be filled with Your grace. Amen.
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(Daily Meditation)

– 1 Samuel 27:5–28:7