Scripture:
1 Samuel 28:1-6
Tue, 23 November 2021

The Tragedy of Divine Silence

Observation:

What can you learn about the Word of God in verses 3 to 6?

Deeper Reflection
THE NARRATOR LEAVES DAVID struggling in a tangled web of his own doing (vv.1-2) and switches to telling a story of Saul in the rest of 1 Samuel 28. The story begins with “Now Samuel was dead” (v.3), even though this is mentioned before: “Then Samuel died” (1 Sam 25:1). What is the significance? Samuel was the prophet of God during Saul’s reign. Samuel stands for the Word of God. Thus, “Samuel was dead” signals the voice of God was “dead” – God stopped speaking. It was like back to Eli’s days when “word from the LORD was rare…visions were infrequent” (1 Sam 3:1). The famine of the Word of God is a great spiritual tragedy: When we “go to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, but not find it” (Am 8:11-12). God’s Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psa 119:105). Without God’s Word, we walk in darkness. This can happen when God’s Word is not consciously central and continually present in our lives – which what meditating on God’s Word “day and night” means (Psa 1:2). Saul was in a major crisis: “Samuel was dead” (v.3) and “the Philistines gathered together” to battle against Israel (v.4). When Saul “saw” the Philistine army, he was “afraid and his heart trembled greatly” (v.5). There was only one hope for Saul: God and His Word. Saul “inquired of the LORD”, but God “did not answer him” (v.6). Saul’s only one hope was not there.
Application:

How can I make the Word of God consciously central and continually present in my life?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise:
  • Pray for pastors and staff: To make God’s Word consciously central and continually present in their lives
  • Pray for significant people:
  • Pray for those in need:
  • Pray for self:

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Daily Devo
Daily Devotional Journal
Sun, 31 December 2023

Sunday Journal

Past Week’s Review
  • What was my high point and my low point for the week?
  • What gave me life and what drained me?
  • How was the Spirit of God at work?
Reflect

What is one key thing that God said to me this week in light of what has happened?

Respond

What is one thing I need to do in light of what God is saying?
Commit in prayer.

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