Poor Decisions

I Sam. 13:13

"You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the Lord your God, with which He commanded you."

Saul couldn't wait either out of fear or impatience so he took things in his own hands. Instead of waiting for Samuel to get his direction, he offered the sacrifice himself, a job that was to be done only by a priest. He was afraid of losing control. His eyes focused only on the scattering people not on obedience to God's commands. He was using a religious form without obedience to the heart of the command. The result was harsh. Samuel told him that his kingdom would not continue, but the Lord was seeking out a man after His heart.

In the midst of great military victory, Saul made another foolish statement about eating honey. Even though the people were wasted from the battle, they could not eat the honey that was abundant. But Jonathan did saying his father had troubled the land. Later, Saul couldn't get the answer that he wanted from the priest so he thought sin must be among the leaders. He discovered what Jonathan had done and was ready to kill him, but the people rose up in his defense since he had worked a great salvation for Israel that day.

Saul wanted  his own way immediately. He was ever seeking to defend himself either by making excuses or blaming someone else. If he couldn't get the answer when he wanted it, he took it into his own hands. Do I wait patiently on the Lord? Do I justify what I have done instead of being honest before the Lord?

Father,

As Your Spirit reveals my wrong actions and motives, give me the strength to admit and forsake my sin. Teach me to wait patiently for You.

In Jesus name,

Amen