In the Middle

Word
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 the one I name." — I Samuel 28:5-8

Observation
Saul gets scared, tries to talk to God, and hears nothing. Then, the same man that expelled all the spiritists and mediums from the land, results to searching for one so he can find out about what's going to happen to him. In order to do it though he has to put on different clothes and do this all at night so as not to be seen. Later in this chapter it still doesn't work out for him because Samuel, who is dead, tells him that he and his sons would be with Samuel the next day.

Revelation
It would be so easy for me to sit here in judgment of Saul right now. I mean he goes against his own commands and asks a medium to conjure up a spirit because he so desperately needs to know what was going to happen. But the fact of the matter is that I have been guilty in this way many times. I've never consulted mediums or spiritists, but I've definitely tried handling things my way in my own flesh rather than the right way with the Lord. This much I'll give Saul; he at least first consulted the Lord before doing the other. I don't even do that. I think lots of Christians try handling a problem in our own strength, and when that doesn't work we make prayer to the Lord our last resort. I can't count how many times I've been sick and gone to the doctor for meds and help, and when nothing worked I'd say, well I just need to pray. What! That should've been the first thing on the list!

It is telling, however, that when Saul went to meet the medium he had to take of his kingly attire and put on commoner clothing. He had to operate in the darkness so that no one would see. Too many times in my past I used this same method. By day a Christian [or maybe just on Sundays] and by night I shed my Christ-like clothing and put on the clothing of the world; operating in the darkness thinking no one could see what I was doing. But someone could see; Jesus saw every move I made.

The moral of this for me is that just because God doesn't answer me immediately doesn't give me license to try dark methods of the world to get my answer. Saul wasn't looking for the answer though; he was looking to be told what he wanted to hear. And even when he tried an evil method, he still was given the grim news of his death the next day.

Devotion
Lord, I want to be a David not a Saul. I pray that I never take off the priestly garments you've adorned me with as your son and minister so that I can "play" in the world. Give me faith and tenacity to push through when at first I don't hear your voice. I know you're there and will answer me in your good timing. Amen