Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

A Daily Devotional by Kenton Cheek

18 April 2024

Reading From I Samuel 28-31, Psalm 18

“Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in his own town of Ramah. Saul had expelled the mediums and spiritists from the land.

The Philistines assembled and came and set up camp at Shunem, while Saul gathered all Israel and set up camp at Gilboa. When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid; terror filled his heart. He inquired of the Lord, but the Lord did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets. Saul then said to his attendants, “Find me a woman who is a medium, so I may go and inquire of her.”

“There is one in Endor,” they said.

So Saul disguised himself, putting on other clothes, and at night he and two men went to the woman. “Consult a spirit for me,” he said, “and bring up for me the one I name.”

–I Samuel 28:3-8

     Saul had done right in abolishing the practices of witchcraft and sorcery in the land of Israel but here he is seeking one out for himself because the Lord would not answer him.  The compounded sin upon sin upon sin of King Saul had hardened his heart.  He was so far off the right path that his rebellion had disrupted the line of communication between him and the Most High God.  I believe that the only prayer that God would have responded to at this point in his life would have been a prayer of honest repentance.  But instead Saul consults the witch of Endor.  She calls up Samuel who is not pleased that Saul has done this and predicts that the king and his sons will die and very soon. 

     God is ready and willing to welcome anyone who comes to Him for forgiveness and healing.  His arms are extended, His table is set, His treasuries are open and He says to each and every human being on Earth, “Come and join me.”  Sin makes the Lord of Hosts very angry but not because He is waiting with a lightning bolt ready to strike any offender.  Sin makes Him angry because it grieves His heart that His creations would choose anything and everything except for Him.  He knows what blessings of life and abundance await those who do decide to follow His Way and wants so much more for them than what the world has to offer.  Choose to follow Jesus today and have your line of communication with God the Father restored, loud and clear. 

“God, thank You for Your forgiveness. Thank You for Your tender mercy, Your wealth of grace and Your abounding love.  I am grateful that You do not treat me according to what my sins deserve.  I know that a key part of every healthy relationship is communication and so I ask for strength to continue feasting spiritually upon Your Word the Bible every day, praying to You and praising Your Holy Name, and remembering to listen as I meditate on Your precepts.  Thank You for Your goodness to me and the rest of Your children in Your eternal family.  Amen.”

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life. –Revelation 22:17

But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.
I call out to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy mountain. –Psalm 3:3-4