“Depleted By The Pressure” by Kirk Hunt

Then Saul fell straightway all along on the earth, and was sore afraid, because of the words of Samuel: and there was no strength in him; for he had eaten no bread all the day, nor all the night.

1 Samuel 28:20 KJV

A lot of pressure fell on King Saul. The Philistine hoard at Shunem. God's silence. Pressure can lead to desperation. Desperation is the early form of panic.

Wisdom would lead a man not to heap more stress and strain on himself. Instead, Saul does the opposite. He pressured himself even further. Skipping meals in despair is not a good coping mechanism.

Scripture is careful to say Saul stopped eating, rather than started fasting. Fasting might have indicated mourning over a loved one, repentance, or gratitude to God. It doesn't appear Saul was motivated by any of these reasons.

Saul allowed panic to grow from the pressure. Panic leads to poor choices you would otherwise never take otherwise. Like turning to the occult rather than God. It's no surprise the false words from the evil spirit posing as Samuel hammered him.

Depleted by the pressure from without, and within, Saul collapsed. Even tough guys have a limit. It's just a matter of time until life, or the enemy, finds yours.

God has all of the strength and fortitude you need. Even strong saints can be pressured past their limits. No matter what has gone before, heaven listens to repentant sinners. When the pressure's on, stop and pray.

Think: God is the solution to any pressure I face.

Pray: “Lord, help me seek You, rather than panic under pressure.”

Copyright © July 2008, Kirk Hunt