Author Darlene J. Conard

King Saul, once a faithful servant of God, began to stray from his convictions. In a misguided attempt, he convinced himself that he could use evil means to achieve good outcomes. This departure from righteousness led to God withdrawing His presence and favor from Saul.

Desperate for answers, Saul sought the forbidden counsel of the witch of Endor, hoping to gain insight from the spirit world.

 The witch conjured a malevolent entity pretending to be the prophet Samuel, who emerged from the grave, conveying a powerful message of condemnation that highlighted Saul’s unfortunate decline from favor. Read 1 Samuel 28)

As I took the time to contemplate this particular Biblical narrative deeply, I found myself grappling with a profound question that resonates throughout our spiritual journeys: how often do we, in our relentless quest for understanding and clarity, seek out sources outside of God for our answers? In moments of uncertainty, we often feel compelled to turn to worldly advice, popular opinions, or even our own reasoning, convinced that these avenues will provide us with the insight we desire. However, in doing so, we frequently find ourselves entangled in a web of confusion and complexity, from which we struggle to escape.

This reflection led me to recognize that while there may be numerous paths we can take and many voices that offer guidance, ultimately, there is only one true answer that can lead us to genuine understanding and peace. It is crucial to remember that relying solely on our own judgment or the transient wisdom of the world can lead us astray, leaving us more lost than before. Instead, turning our hearts and minds to God’s word and His promises is vital for finding the clarity we seek. He is the only truth. My grandmother would say to me, “Darlene, God has all the answers you’re looking for, pray and search His word. He will speak to you.

“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”  John 16:13 KJV

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