When God Seems Silent-1 Samuel 28
Read 1 Samuel 28:6
Today’s Truth
In 1 Samuel 28, King Saul is desperate. The Philistine army is gathering against Israel, and Saul feels abandoned by God. When Saul prays, he gets no answer—no dreams, no signs, no prophets. Instead of repenting or waiting on the Lord, Saul turns to a forbidden source: he seeks out a medium to call up the spirit of Samuel.
Saul’s desperation reveals his heart. Instead of trusting God’s silence as a call to humble repentance, he grasps at anything for direction—even methods God had clearly condemned.
This chapter is a sobering warning: when we are afraid or feel distant from God, we will either press closer to Him in faith, or we will reach for sinful shortcuts to try to control the future.
God’s silence is never an invitation to disobedience. It’s an invitation to trust Him even more deeply.
Discussion Questions
- How do you usually respond when it feels like God is silent in your life?
- What “shortcuts” are you tempted to take when you feel desperate for answers?
- What does Saul’s choice reveal about the condition of his heart?
Application
- Choose Trust Over Panic: When you feel abandoned or confused, resist the urge to panic. Trust that God is still present, even in silence.
- Stay in Obedience: Don’t let fear drive you into disobedience. God’s ways are still right, even when the way forward feels unclear.
- Use Silence for Reflection: Ask God to reveal if there’s anything in your heart that needs repentance or surrender.
- Wait Well: Waiting on God is never wasted. Strengthen your faith by staying in Scripture, prayer, and community during silent seasons.
