Tues. devo - Sing a Song of Freedom

Read 1 Sam 28
"Philistines" means "wallow in the dust" which means "self-pity" - the perfect enemy to keep attacking David. He has followed God all his life and was very happy playing his harp and keeping sheep. It was God that called him off his mountaintop and annointed him king. God just forgot to tell him that he would be hunted for years by an insane king who loved him...loved him not....loved him...loved him not; and that his followers would be the outcast of society. Not exactly the kingdom he had imagined. To top it off, he is now hiding out with the enemy pretending to be on their side. They are fixing to attack Israel. Their king, Achish, has given David the honor of being his personal bodyguard. What a place to find yourself in!
Saul sees the host of Philistines and is terrified. He calls on God and God doesn't seem to be answering. He tries every way he knows of to get God to respond and to no avail, so he decides to see what the occult may be able to tell him. Since he has ordered all witches and wizards out of the land he has to go "underground". He finds a witch hidden away in Endor and makes his men take him there. He asks her to bring up Samuel so he can ask him about the future. As soon as Samuel comes up she knows this is Saul and is afraid for her life. Saul calms her down and makes her describe what she sees. She describes Samuel to a tee, so he asks Samuel what he should do. Samuel gives him the truth: Saul has disobeyed God and now God has become Saul's enemy. He will not win tomorrow and he and his sons will die on the battlefield and the kingdom will be given to David. Saul is weak with fear. The witch prepares his last meal. What an unhappy ending. I'd say that one of Saul's greatest enemy was self-pity also. The only difference was that Saul brought his self-pity upon himself and had no reprieve or escape. David's was put upon him and he fought it day and night with praise and worship. When everyone deserted David, he would take his harp and encourage himself in the Lord. I wonder if he wrote 146 during this time.
Lord, when I am tempted by self-pity, remind me of my weapon: praise and worship. Praise and worship bring joy, and joy brings strength. May we be strong in You today!