I Have To Do Something! (Don't I?)

Saul waited there seven days for Samuel, as Samuel had instructed him earlier, but Samuel still didn’t come. Saul realized that his troops were rapidly slipping away. So he demanded, “Bring me the burnt offering and the peace offerings!” And Saul sacrificed the burnt offering himself. Just as Saul was finishing with the burnt offering, Samuel arrived. Saul went out to meet and welcome him, but Samuel said, “What is this you have done?” Saul replied, “I saw my men scattering from me, and you didn’t arrive when you said you would, and the Philistines are at Micmash ready for battle. So I said, ‘The Philistines are ready to march against us at Gilgal, and I haven’t even asked for the LORD’s help!’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering myself before you came.” “How foolish!” Samuel exclaimed. “You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you. Had you kept it, the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom must end, for the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart. The LORD has already appointed him to be the leader of his people, because you have not kept the LORD’s command.” [1 Samuel 13.8-14]

What did Saul do that got him in trouble here? Saul was right that Israel needed the LORD's help. Saul was sort of right that Samuel did not show up after 7 days. But Saul was dead wrong to proceed without Samuel because Samuel had specifically told Saul:

Then go down to Gilgal ahead of me. I will join you there to sacrifice burnt offerings and peace offerings. You must wait for seven days until I arrive and give you further instructions.” [1 Samuel 10.8]

Saul's mistake was that he assumed to think and act for God when he had not heard from God.

I cannot say I would not have done the same thing as Saul. I cannot say I have not done the same thing as Saul! In fact, my impatience has likely cost me and those around me much grief, suffering and pain.

When in pressing situations I have said it before myself, "I have to do something!" Yes, like Saul, I waited for some prescribed period of time. But, when it came down to 'crunch time" I made my own decision and consequently did not see the glory of God manifest upon my situation. It is a sickening feeling - and rightfully so.

As I read Saul's story, it seems the only course of action Saul should have taken was to wait. The mind of man says, "I have to do something!" but the Spirit of God says, "wait." 

Waiting is a pivotal act of faith.

Father, when I set out to respond here today, I did not think this little life lesson would implicate me as much as it has in these few sentences. Forgive me for being impatient with Your plan in my life. Forgive me for thinking, "I have to do something," and acting accordingly. Forgive me for trusting my own reasoning.