Those mwgcK chsnges greace. Change is intrinsic to life; it is an inevitable part of our existence. From the moment we are born, we embark on a journey of constant transformation. Our bodies, minds, and circumstances are in a perpetual state of flux. These changes may be gradual or swift, positive or negative, but they shape us into who we are and who we become. Change can be intimidating and unnerving.
When Saul inquired of the Lord and the Lord did not answer, he went to a woman with the spirit of divination.
ACTS 16 17-18 17 This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation. ACTS 16 17-18 17 This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.
Change can be intimidating and unnerving. It disrupts the familiar and challenges our comfort zones. It forces us to step outside of our routines and confront the unknown.
Spirit of divination
The internal evidence from the narrative reveals a number of significant details to conclude that the spirit the medium saw was not Samuel but a demon impersonating him. One of the most obvious clues is that the text tells the reader outright—twice!—that the Lord would not answer Saul (I Samuel 28:6, 15-16), and there is no way that God would answer him through a lying spirit during an abominable séance! One of the points of the story is to show what desperate people will do when they are cut off from God, in fear for their lives, and without hope.
Yet, this does not mean that the demon does not give Saul a truthful answer. Acting as if it were Samuel, the demon wounds the king with the cruelest words it can use, complaining about being disturbed in his rest, mocking Saul for seeking him, and rubbing it in that God had left him and become his enemy. It reminds him of one of Samuel's prophecies—given when Saul had disobeyed God's instruction about the punishment of Amalek and its king, Agag (see I Samuel 15)—foretelling that the kingdom would be torn from him and given to another, David (I Samuel 15:23, 26-28). Finally, it predicts that both he and his sons would die in the next day's battle against the Philistines, a reasonable assumption considering how overmatched Saul's forces were.
The demon's words have the desired effect: “Immediately, Saul fell full length on the ground, and was dreadfully afraid because of the words of Samuel. And there was no strength in him, for he had eaten no food all day or all night” (I Samuel 28:20). Playing on Saul's fears and weakness, the demon succeeds in bringing the big man low, destroying any remnant of hope. Later, after finally eating and resting (verses 21-25), he leaves the medium's house a completely broken man.
So, what happened at En Dor?
1. At the end of his rope and highly susceptible to suggestion, Saul was ready to clutch at any straw of hope for a better outcome.
2. The medium was a fraud, bilking people of their money by preying on their superstitions. The spirit's appearance shocked her.
3. At most God allowed a demon to impersonate Samuel and pronounce Saul's doom to him, to give him the truth from the only source he had ever trusted to speak straight to him.
In the end, the story of Saul and the medium at En Dor is a morality play of sorts, an object lesson to teach how dangerous it is to forsake God and turn to the counsels of demons through sorcery and divination. It is a path of fear, despair, lies, curses, and death. It records the sad and tragic end of a man who had shown such great potential but who had allowed jealousy and pride to bring him and his house to ruin.
Jesus commands the demon to leave, giving it a short, direct order backed by God's authority. He does not rebuke the man, because the unclean spirit had possessed him, yet each of us must resist the influence of demons (I Peter 5:8-9). Jesus tells the demon, "Hold your peace," which actually means "be gagged or muzzled," a phrase He also uses to calm the storm in Mark 4:39. The unclean spirit does not speak again, but obeys in rage and anguish.
By his own power or authority, no man can cast out demons. Even the archangel Michael, not daring to revile Satan, called on the power and authority of God to rebuke him (Jude 9), setting a right example for us. Similarly, in rebuking the "spirit of divination" at Philippi, Paul says, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her" (Acts 16:18).
Because of Christ's authority in performing this miracle, the people in the synagogue are "amazed," a word meaning "to stupefy" and "to dumbfound or flabbergast." They express their astonishment in questions: "What is this? What new doctrine is this?" (Mark 1:27), as well as by immediately rushing away to tell everyone they can. The word translated "amazed" also can mean "to terrify" and "to be frightened." The people are not only astounded but also fearful of God's power through Jesus.
The focus of the testimony is on how Jesus exorcises the demon: simply by His command, which shows the power of God's Word. Contemporary Jewish doctrine for casting out demons was much different, as exorcists among them sometimes appeared to cast out demons by prayers or chants. Christ, however, does not cajole or request demons to leave, but authoritatively commands them to come out. The world has its weak and useless methods to appease evil and entice it to surrender, but Christ commands its defeat.
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You seek to know your future because you are worried about tomorrow. You’re worried about tomorrow because you do not believe and have great faith in Jesus Christ.
But amidst the uncertainty, change brings growth. It propels us forward, pushing us to adapt, learn, and evolve. Change provides us with invaluable opportunities for self-discovery. It reveals hidden strengths, tests our resilience, and uncovers our true potential. Each challenge we encounter forces us to dig deep within ourselves and find the resources necessary to overcome obstacles. Moreover, change allows us to broaden our perspective and gain new insights. It exposes us to diverse experiences, different cultures, and alternate ways of thinking. As we encounter unfamiliar situations, we learn to embrace ambiguity and appreciate the beauty of diversity. Change opens doors to new ideas, fostering creativity and innovation. While change can be transformative and beneficial, it is not always easy to navigate. The fear of the unknown and the discomfort of leaving behind the familiar can be overwhelming. It is vital to remember that change is an opportunity, not a threat. Embracing change requires courage and resilience. It demands a willingness to let go of the past and embrace the uncertainty of the future. In conclusion, change is an essential part of life. It may bring discomfort and challenge, but it also brings growth, discovery, and new opportunities. Embracing change allows us to evolve, learn, and expand our horizons. So, let us welcome those mwgcK chsnges greace and embrace the transformative power they hold..
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