The Wrong Side

Dear Friends and Fellow Seekers of Truth,

I hope this letter finds you in peace and good health. Today, I want to share a reflection on the choices we make when we find ourselves not hearing from God. This story from the lives of David and Saul illustrates the difference between seeking God’s guidance faithfully and turning to the wrong sources when we feel lost.

There was a time when David, the future king of Israel, found himself in a precarious situation. He had been fleeing from King Saul, who sought to take his life. In his desperation, David aligned himself with the Philistines, Israel's enemies. This decision led him to a point where he was about to march into battle against his own people. We find this account in 1 Samuel 29. David's situation was dire; he seemed to be on the wrong side, caught in a web of dangerous alliances.

In contrast, King Saul faced his own crisis. Saul had repeatedly disobeyed God, leading to a point where the Lord no longer answered him. In 1 Samuel 28, desperate for guidance before an impending battle with the Philistines, Saul sought out a medium in Endor to summon the spirit of Samuel. This act of turning to forbidden practices starkly contrasted with David’s approach when he found himself in silence from God.

David, while aligned with the enemy, knew where to turn for guidance. In 1 Samuel 30, when his camp at Ziklag was raided by the Amalekites and his men spoke of stoning him in their grief, David did not despair. Instead, he sought the Lord's guidance in the proper manner. David called for the ephod, the sacred garment of the high priest, and through it, he inquired of the Lord.

*"Then David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelek, ‘Bring me the ephod.’ Abiathar brought it to him, and David inquired of the Lord, ‘Shall I pursue this raiding party? Will I overtake them?’ ‘Pursue them,’ he answered. ‘You will certainly overtake them and succeed in the rescue.’”* (1 Samuel 30:7-8).

Despite his earlier mistakes, David knew the importance of seeking God's direction. His response was to turn back to God, asking for guidance through the divinely appointed means. This act demonstrated his faith and reliance on God's providence, even when he had made poor choices.

Saul's story ended tragically. After consulting the medium and hearing from the spirit of Samuel that he would lose the battle and his life, Saul went into battle without God's favor and met his end the next day. His desperation led him to the wrong side, seeking guidance from a source that God had expressly forbidden.

The stark difference between David and Saul is clear: When David found himself not hearing from God, he sought the Lord through the proper, God-ordained channels. Saul, in his desperation, turned to forbidden practices, ultimately sealing his fate.

What does this mean for us today? We all face moments of silence, times when God’s guidance seems distant. The lesson from David’s and Saul’s lives is crucial: We must seek God’s voice through the right means. Today, we have the Holy Spirit, sent by Jesus to guide us into all truth. Unlike the Urim and Thummim or the ephod, the Holy Spirit dwells within us, offering continuous guidance and comfort.

Jesus said in John 16:13, *"But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come."* We no longer need to turn to stones or ephods; we have the ever-present Holy Spirit to lead us.

Let us learn from these ancient stories. When we feel lost or unheard, let us not turn to the wrong sources. Instead, let us call upon the Holy Spirit, seek God’s guidance through prayer, and trust in His Word. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are always with us, ready to guide us if we seek, hear, and obey.

May we always remember to seek God’s face, even in silence, trusting that He will lead us on the right path.

With blessings and prayers for your continued journey in faith,

Pst. JK. Woodall, Ph.D.

Senior Pastor, Revival Center Hesperia