May 22, 2016

Wait For God’s Timing

As for Saul, he was still in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling. 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. -- 1 Samuel 13:7-9

Saul was under a lot of pressure. He was facing a crucial battle and his people were afraid. And where was Samuel? The priest was supposed to arrive any time but where was he?!

So Saul did what many of us would do under those circumstances: He took matters into his own hands and offered the sacrifice himself rather than waiting for the priest.

It was a bad, bad move. Saul meant well. He did. But good intentions didn’t erase the fact that Saul had disobeyed God and violated His law.

Then, to make matters worse, Saul tried to blame it on his people for scattering and Samuel for not coming earlier. That’s also something we’re prone to do. Sometimes it’s really hard to admit when we’ve made a mistake.

Today’s sermon was on naming the sin so that we can deal with it. When we don’t actually admit what we’ve done, we can’t get past it. We can’t deal with it.

That’s one of the first things people in recovery learn. And by recovery I don’t just mean drugs and alcohol. It could be someone suffering from overeating or depression. It could also be jealousy or envy. The key is that no one can heal until we admit that we have a problem.

It’s also harder to forgive someone who won’t admit what he’s done. Saul wanted to point fingers. Yes, his people were scattering because they were afraid. Yes, he was facing a crucial battle and was concerned he would lose his army before it started. And, yes, Samuel ended up arriving later than Saul expected. That’s a lot of pressure, even for a king.

But it’s when pressure hits that our true character comes forward. Saul didn’t trust God. He didn’t. Because if he had, Saul would have known God would send the priest to provide an offering before the battle. Saul knew Samuel was coming. His only task was to wait.

We’re not good at waiting for God’s timing. In this instant society, we want results now. We fail God when we don’t wait for His timing.

Good intentions done the wrong way are still wrong. Denying that, pointing fingers, doesn’t change that simple fact. Wait for God. Follow His direction. Then watch His blessings freely flow.