Haunting Disobedience | 1 Samuel 28:15-19

Are you haunted by your own disobedience?

Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller.

In this chapter, King Saul is looking down at the inevitable war. He is outnumbered by Achish and David, who stand against him, and Saul consults the Witch of En-Dor to speak with Samuel, who is dead. Here is our text in 1 Samuel 28:15-19:

Then Samuel said to Saul, "Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?" Saul answered, "I am in great distress, for the Philistines are warring against me, and God has turned away from me and answers me no more, either by prophets or by dreams. Therefore I have summoned you to tell me what I shall do." And Samuel said, "Why then do you ask me, since the Lord has turned from you and become your enemy? The Lord has done to you as he spoke by me, for the Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, David. Because you did not obey the voice of the Lord and did not carry out his fierce wrath against Amalek, therefore the Lord has done this thing to you this day. Moreover, the Lord will give Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons shall be with me. The Lord will give the army of Israel also into the hand of the Philistines." — 1 Samuel 28:15-19

This is one of the most haunting moments in Scripture. It is dark—literally and spiritually. Saul is at the end of his rope, staring down a Philistine army abandoned by God, choosing a path he once outlawed himself: consulting a medium.

Then, when Samuel's spirit appears, his words cut to the core of Saul's real problem.

It wasn't the Philistines.
It wasn't David.
It wasn't the opposing army.
The problem was Saul's continued refusal to listen to God.

Samuel's words are chilling:

"Why then do you ask me, since the Lord has turned from you and become your enemy?"

God had spoken to Saul many times before—through Samuel, priests, circumstances, and even direct instructions—but Saul repeatedly ignored Him. In his desperation, he sought answers from a source that could offer no hope, and the ghost of Samuel would not plead Saul's case before God.

Do you ignore God's voice in small moments, only to cry out in panic in big moments?

Sadly, we have all done this.

Obedience isn't solely a one-time moment of surrender—it's a day-by-day, moment-by-moment, step-by-step surrender to God's will. And it can begin right now. With one step of obedience. So, what is the one step you need to take today? Then tomorrow, we will worry about the next.

#ObedienceToGod, #ListenToGod, #FaithSteps

Ask This:
Are you seeking God's voice daily, or only in moments of desperation?
What step of obedience is God calling you to take today?
Do This:
Take one step of obedience.

Pray This:
Lord, help me seek Your voice daily, not just in moments of crisis. Teach me to walk in faithful obedience, step by step. Amen.

Play This:
God, I Look To You.