That’s Not Samuel

When Saul inquired for Samuel, the Lord did not cause Samuel to appear to Saul. He saw nothing. Satan was not allowed to disturb the rest of Samuel in the grave, and bring him up in reality to the witch of Endor. God does not give Satan power to resurrect the dead. But Satan’s angels assume the form of dead friends, and speak and act like them, that through professed dead friends he can the better carry on his work of deception. Satan knew Samuel well, and he knew how to represent him before the witch of Endor, and to utter correctly the fate of Saul and his sons.

Satan will come in a very plausible manner to such as he can deceive, and will insinuate himself into their favor, and lead them almost imperceptibly from God. He wins them under his control, cautiously at first, until their perceptibilities become blunted. Then he will make bolder suggestions, until he can lead them to commit almost any degree of crime. When he has led them fully into his snare, he is then willing that they should see where they are, and he exults in their confusion, as in the case of Saul. He had suffered Satan to lead him a willing captive, and now Satan spreads before Saul a correct description of his fate. By giving Saul a correct statement of his end, through the woman of Endor, Satan opens a way for Israel to be instructed by his satanic cunning, that they may, in their rebellion against God, learn of him, and by thus doing, sever the last link which would hold them to God.

Saul knew that in this last act, of consulting the witch of Endor, he cut the last shred which held him to God. He knew that if he had not before willfully separated himself from God, this act sealed that separation, and made it final. He had made an agreement with death, and a covenant with hell. The cup of his iniquity was full.
Conflict and Courage p. 172
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Prayer Requests
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Dear Friends,

There’s a song in the old church hymnal that I wish were in our church’s current hymnal. Back then, I used it for offertory as the words illustrate the importance of giving more to Jesus than a mere material gift. While offerings are important to maintain the house of God, there is one gift that our Dear Saviour cherishes above all others. This gift is akin to His “unspeakable gift.” 2 Cor 9:15

They Brought Their Gifts to Jesus
by Eben E Rexford

They brought their gifts to Jesus,
And laid them at His feet,
And love for this dear Saviour,
Made every offering sweet,
Good deeds and words of kindness,
Help for the poor of earth,
And not a gift among them
Was thought of little worth

Wouldst bring a gift to Jesus,
That He will count most sweet?
Say, “Lord, my heart I give Thee,”
And lay it at His feet.

Apart from other givers
A poor wayfarer stood,
He saw the gifts they offered,
The poorest counted good,
And he was filled with longing,
A gift, though poor, to bring,
Alas! all empty-handed
He stood before the King.

Wouldst bring a gift to Jesus,
That He will count most sweet?
Say, “Lord, my heart I give Thee,”
And lay it at His feet.

“Dear Lord,” he cried in sorrow,
“I know how kind Thou art,
Take all I have to give Thee,
My sinful wayward heart.”
Then Jesus answered softly,
“Count not the gift as small,
Though all of them are precious,
Thine is the best of all.”

Wouldst bring a gift to Jesus,
That He will count most sweet?
Say, “Lord, my heart I give Thee,”
And lay it at His feet.

How our Great Redeemer yearns for us to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Think of it! He, the Creator of the Universe, the One Whom all Heaven adores, left the glories of Heaven, came to this dark and sinful world to suffer all the evil that wicked men goaded on by evil angels could heap upon Him, finally laying down His Own Life to ransom us from the clutches of the evil one. How our hearts should thrill at the thought! How we should keep all of our attention, all of our affections on Him Who loved us so. Yet how many times we draw near Him with our mouth, and with our lips do honour Him, but our heart is far from Him, filled with our own plans, our own desires, or just the mundane things of life.

How often we give Him of our abundance or occasionally give up some little want to bring an offering to Him and feel pretty good about ourselves. Yet we have so little of which to boast. The words of Samuel to Saul ring in our ears, “Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.” 1 Sam 15:22,23 With tears in His voice, the Lord Jesus pleads, “give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways” “forget not my law, but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.” “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow, though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land.” Prov 23:26, 3:1, 2 , Matt 11:28-30, Isa 1:18,19

“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith” answering our Loving Redeemer, “With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments” “create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” Ps 119:10, 51:10 Let us daily give our entire heart to our Dear Saviour for it is the gift that He most desires. “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering” that we may make glad our Saviour’s Great Heart of Love.” Heb 10:22,23

Rose