{"id":14230,"date":"2026-05-20T07:55:30","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T11:55:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.garycombs.org\/blog\/?post_type=oyb&p=14230"},"modified":"2026-05-20T07:55:31","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T11:55:31","slug":"seeking-revelation-without-repentance","status":"publish","type":"oyb","link":"https:\/\/www.garycombs.org\/blog\/oyb\/seeking-revelation-without-repentance","title":{"rendered":"SEEKING REVELATION WITHOUT REPENTANCE"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\u201cThen Samuel said to Saul, \u2018Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?\u2019 Saul answered, \u2018I am in great distress, for the Philistines are warring against me, and God has turned away from me and answers me no more\u2019\u201d (1 Samuel 28:15 ESV).<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

1 Samuel recorded one of the most mysterious and tragic scenes in Saul\u2019s life. Desperate for guidance before battle, Saul visited the medium at Endor after God no longer answered him. Theologians have debated the identity of the figure who appeared. Some believe it was a demonic impersonation. Others suggest psychological trickery or deception by the medium. A third view, which seems most likely, understands the figure to have truly been Samuel, not through the medium\u2019s power but by God\u2019s sovereign intervention. The text repeatedly identifies the figure as \u201cSamuel,\u201d not as a counterfeit spirit. Samuel accurately predicted Saul\u2019s defeat and death. The medium herself appeared shocked and terrified, suggesting something happened beyond her expectation or control. God may have intervened uniquely, not to validate necromancy, but to pronounce final judgment upon Saul. Ironically, Saul had earlier expelled mediums from Israel in outward obedience to God\u2019s law. Yet now, in desperation, he sought help from the very practice he once condemned. Saul had stopped listening to God long before God stopped answering him. This moment marked the climax of his spiritual decline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saul\u2019s story warns us that when people refuse God\u2019s Word, they often begin searching for false or forbidden substitutes. We may not seek mediums, but we can look elsewhere for direction apart from God. We can chase worldly wisdom, feelings, popular opinion, or whatever promises quick answers. God desires repentant hearts before He grants direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Proverbs 1:23 gives the proper order: \u201cIf you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you.\u201d God calls us to turn first and receive revelation second. Sometimes we want God\u2019s guidance while resisting God\u2019s authority. Saul did not seek God with humility. He wanted information without surrender. We must remember that true revelation begins with repentance. We must guard against the danger of seeking counsel without any intention to obey it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PRAYER<\/strong>: Dear Father, search our hearts and reveal areas where we have resisted Your voice. Forgive us for seeking answers apart from Your Word and Your will. Give us humble and repentant hearts that desire obedience. Teach us to seek You first and trust Your guidance. In Jesus\u2019 name, amen.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u201cThen Samuel said to Saul, \u2018Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?\u2019 Saul answered, \u2018I am in great distress, for the Philistines are warring against me, and God has turned away from me and answers me no more\u2019\u201d (1 Samuel 28:15 ESV). 1 Samuel recorded one of the most mysterious and tragic scenes<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","meta":[],"categories":[],"tags":[],"scripture-book":[1276],"scripture-chapter":[1361],"oyb_day":[1667],"location":[],"class_list":["post-14230","oyb","type-oyb","status-publish","hentry","scripture-book-1-samuel","scripture-chapter-1361","oyb_day-may-20"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.garycombs.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/oyb\/14230","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.garycombs.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/oyb"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.garycombs.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/oyb"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.garycombs.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14230"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.garycombs.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14230"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.garycombs.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14230"},{"taxonomy":"scripture-book","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.garycombs.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/scripture-book?post=14230"},{"taxonomy":"scripture-chapter","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.garycombs.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/scripture-chapter?post=14230"},{"taxonomy":"oyb_day","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.garycombs.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/oyb_day?post=14230"},{"taxonomy":"location","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.garycombs.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/location?post=14230"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}