In the Shadows

# 385 - Today's Du-votional comes from: 1Sa 28:21-25, “And the woman came to Saul and saw that he was severely troubled, and said to him, "Look, your maidservant has obeyed your voice, and I have put my life in my hands and heeded the words which you spoke to me. 22 "Now therefore, please, heed also the voice of your maidservant, and let me set a piece of bread before you; and eat, that you may have strength when you go on your way." 23 But he refused and said, "I will not eat." So his servants, together with the woman, urged him; and he heeded their voice. Then he arose from the ground and sat on the bed. 24 Now the woman had a fatted calf in the house, and she hastened to kill it. And she took flour and kneaded it, and baked unleavened bread from it. 25 So she brought it before Saul and his servants, and they ate. Then they rose and went away that night. (1 Sam 28:21-25) The witch of En-Dor was likely not privy to the conversation between the familiar spirit and Saul, but she certainly was able to witness the effect that the conversation had on Saul. This man of great physical stature lay on a heap on the ground due to the combination of a lack of food and the terrifying word he had just received from God. This is not a good situation for the witch. The king of Israel, passed out on her floor after she had committed a crime worthy of the death penalty. This would not be a good thing come morning light. She needed to get the king out of her house! She then says, “look, I don't want any trouble here. I only did what you asked me to do, now please, grab a bite to eat and get out of here!” Saul, initially refuses, but his servants beg him to eat, (perhaps they sensed that they could be in trouble too for being partners in this ill-fated escapade.) The witch then brings out the celebratory fatted calf! This is now a joyous occasion for her, Saul is leaving...she is off the hook! Ever felt like that? Ever felt that you have sinned and gotten away with it? What a relief right? No one wants to be caught with their hand in the cookie jar. But let me ask you something, “What will you do the next time, or the time after that, or the time after that? How many bullets do you think you can dodge? Why not come to the one who witnesses all your sins anyway? Why not come to the only one who can forgive them? Why not come to the only one who can deliver you from your sins? Why not come to Jesus? Stop living in the fear of the shadows, come to the Light and live free on this day and forevermore! O God, deliver those who are living in the shadows. Set them free from fear through Jesus.