I’ve heard it said that God won’t give you more than you can handle. I thought of this phrase as I read the story of Saul in 1 Samuel 28 this morning.

In this story, Saul, the mentally unstable king of Israel, is facing a formidable enemy and has some serious doubts about his ability to lead his army. He is no longer on speaking terms with the God of Israel; because of previous disobedience God is not responding to Saul’s inquiries.

At this point, Saul had the option of true repentance and seeking God with his whole heart, but instead Saul resorts to seeking out a medium to predict his future.

Saul definitely had more than he could handle in that moment and he recognized his need of help. He just looked for it in the wrong place and in the wrong way.

I find myself in situations all the time for which I have no answer and I need God’s help and intervention. Like Saul, I can attempt to fake it ‘til I make it. Or, I can trust in God and rely on him to bring me through and give me the wisdom I need to do what he’s called me to do in that context.

I have limited control over my circumstances. I have limited control over my health. I have limited control over my work. The list of things over which I have limited, if any, control is endless.

I find that I often have more than I can handle on my own.

So if when the phrase God never gives us more than we an handle is defined as “more than we can handle on our own,” I would argue that this is a false statement.

It is only with God’s help we can claim with Paul, “But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.“ (Romans 8:37, NASB 95)