Fear Not! A Guide to Living a Fearless LifeSample

Total Obedience Required

“The Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hands and given it to one of your neighbors — to David. Because you did not obey the Lord or carry out his fierce wrath against the Amalekites, the Lord has done this to you today. The Lord will hand over both Israel and you to the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The Lord will also hand over the army of Israel to the Philistines. Immediately, Saul fell full length on the ground, filled with fear because of Samuel's words. His strength was gone, for he had eaten nothing all that day and night” (1 Samuel 28:17-20, NIV).

The setting here is a little spooky. The prophet Samuel has died, and all Israel has mourned him. Saul saw the Philistine army assembling to fight, and he was scared. He had sought to hear from God, but the Lord would not answer him. As king, Saul had expelled all spiritists and mediums in the land, but now he was desperate to hear from anyone, so he disguised himself and sought a woman who was a medium in Endor. Saul had this woman summon up the prophet Samuel and he came and delivered the message above, telling Saul tomorrow he and his sons would be killed and Israel would fall to the Philistines.

There are some biblical scholars who believe this was not really Samuel whom this woman called up, but rather an evil spirit impersonating Samuel. Regardless who it was, he did correctly predict what would happen to Saul, his sons and the Israelite army.

So what was Saul’s sin with the Amalekites that God was so angry with him? The Lord had told Saul, “Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy everything that belongs to them” (1 Samuel 15:3, NIV). Saul was not supposed to let a single person or beast of the Amalekites live. God informed Saul that He would “punish the Amalekites for what they did to Israel when they waylaid them as they came up from Egypt” (1 Samuel 15:2, NIV). Saul apparently didn’t take God seriously because he took things into his own hands. Saul “spared Agag (the Amalekite king) and the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambs — everything that was good” (1 Samuel 15:9, NIV).

What can we learn from Saul’s story?

1) God wants our total obedience, not partial obedience.

2) The Amalekites did not escape God’s wrath. “The wicked will not go unpunished” (Proverbs 11:21, NIV). God’s timing for punishment may not happen when we want it to, but He does not forget.

3) If God removes His hand of protection, fear is probably warranted.

4) Don’t deal with anyone or anything on the dark side (e.g., mediums).

Prayer: Lord, may I learn from Saul’s mistakes and understand You want total obedience from me. I realize You would not ask me to do something that is not in my best interest. Help me to walk in obedience to Your commands and statutes. In Jesus name, amen.