1 Samuel 28:5-7 
When Saul saw the vast Philistine army, he became frantic with fear. He asked the Lord what he should do, but the Lord refused to answer him, either by dreams or by sacred lots or by the prophets. Saul then said to his advisers, “Find a woman who is a medium, so I can go and ask her what to do.” His advisers replied, “There is a medium at Endor.” (NLT)

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It’s always a good idea to keep the lines of communication open with God. 

When we stop listening for God’s voice and when we stop following the path he lays out before us, we soon find ourselves in deep weeds, on thin ice, or on the horns of a dilemma. That’s where Saul found himself. 

Samuel was dead. God and Saul weren’t on speaking terms. Saul was in big trouble, and he knew it. So, he took another shortcut. Rather than seek peace with God through repentance and restoration, he again tried to do God’s will his own way. It was the last time he got to make that mistake, and it cost him his life. (See 1 Samuel 31:6.)

Contrast David’s response when King Achish sent David and his troops home from what would be an epic battle. (See 1 Samuel 29.) Arriving back in Ziklag, he and his troops discovered the Amalekites had raided their town and taken everything they owned, as well as their wives and children. This was one of the toughest spots David Before He Was King had ever been in. 

How did David respond when some of his men were giving serious thought to killing him? Verse 6 says, “But David found strength in the LORD his God.” Saul stopped listening to God, and God returned the favor. David went to God first, and God gave him clear directions and a promise of complete recovery of everything that was lost. (See verses 8—20, especially verses 18 and 19.)

David got back everything the Amalekites had taken, and he rescued his two wives. Nothing was missing: small or great, son or daughter, nor anything else that had been taken. David brought everything back.
‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭30‬:‭18‬-‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Let us compare and contrast Saul and David’s responses to trouble. Saul chose the path of impulsiveness and disobedience. David went straight to God. Saul’s rebellion led to his death. David’s obedience led him to success. 

Our best possible outcomes are found on the level ground of obedience. No shortcut, no reliance on any strength other than God’s will, can place us in the position to win like hearing and obeying God. 

What is God saying to you today? 

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I will learn to hear and obey God and live in the success he makes possible.

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Our Father, people often use a proverb saying, “It’s my way or the highway.” Your way is the High Way. There is no better way. It is the right way the first time and every time. Give me the wisdom to choose and follow your will and your way today. Amen.