Scripture - 1 Sam 13:8-13 8 Then he waited seven days, according to the time set by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him. 9 So Saul said, "Bring a burnt offering and peace offerings here to me." And he offered the burnt offering. 10 Now it happened, as soon as he had finished presenting the burnt offering, that Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might greet him. 11 And Samuel said, "What have you done?" Saul said, "When I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered together at Michmash, 12 then I said, 'The Philistines will now come down on me at Gilgal, and I have not made supplication to the LORD.' Therefore I felt compelled, and offered a burnt offering." 13 And Samuel said to Saul,"You have done foolishly.
Observation - Samuel had given Saul instructions and a set of plans that he was to operate by according to the Lord. The priest gave instruction directed by God to establish Saul's kingdom forever through his faithfulness. This like many other things in his life was a test of his obedience to the Lord. Just like many of us Saul jumped the gun and when he saw the circumstances unfolding in front of him, did not wait for God to take care of it but decided to handle it himself. He offered and unlawful offering to the Lord. This action was "foolish". He should have waited to see what God would do. Too often we don't wait to see what God will do. We are jumping the gun all over the place and consequently shooting the wrong people. God wants us to trust in His word and His direction and not get so excited about the circumstances that we miss the goal all together.
Application - I have been in situations before, where I am waiting on something major to happen and just before it does, that moment that seems like nothing is happening, I take matters into my own hands, mess things up and then right afterward the solution is revealed. I know many times I have felt so foolish that I didn't just wait a little longer. If we can train ourselves to wait a little longer than normal, not be in such a rush, not look to the quick fix, but just wait - God will bring the answer and the resolution. We have to understand that it is all in his timing. Not in ours. We look foolish when we move too fast.
Prayer - Father help me to slow down and wait for you.
Observation - Samuel had given Saul instructions and a set of plans that he was to operate by according to the Lord. The priest gave instruction directed by God to establish Saul's kingdom forever through his faithfulness. This like many other things in his life was a test of his obedience to the Lord. Just like many of us Saul jumped the gun and when he saw the circumstances unfolding in front of him, did not wait for God to take care of it but decided to handle it himself. He offered and unlawful offering to the Lord. This action was "foolish". He should have waited to see what God would do. Too often we don't wait to see what God will do. We are jumping the gun all over the place and consequently shooting the wrong people. God wants us to trust in His word and His direction and not get so excited about the circumstances that we miss the goal all together.
Application - I have been in situations before, where I am waiting on something major to happen and just before it does, that moment that seems like nothing is happening, I take matters into my own hands, mess things up and then right afterward the solution is revealed. I know many times I have felt so foolish that I didn't just wait a little longer. If we can train ourselves to wait a little longer than normal, not be in such a rush, not look to the quick fix, but just wait - God will bring the answer and the resolution. We have to understand that it is all in his timing. Not in ours. We look foolish when we move too fast.
Prayer - Father help me to slow down and wait for you.
