Hello Everyone!
Good morning guys!
1st Samuel chapter 13.
Saul started a war and things went horribly wrong. He took 3000 men and 2400 of them fled the war. What went wrong? Here are my thoughts:
- Saul's heart was in the wrong place. It was not God focused but was Saul focused. It has to be all about God. It has to be or it's in vain it means nothing spiritually. Psalm 127:1 says unless the Lord builds the house the laborers labor in vain. Unless God guards the house the guardsmen guard in vain.
- Saul didn't consider the cost. Luke 14:25-33 is a great passage dealing with considering the cost to be a disciple of Jesus. Following Jesus will be hard work. Don't just foolishly jump into a war, a Ministry, or anything without considering what's involved and without laying it before the Lord. Then once you say yes you will do this thing, then you'll be committed to it. Then you won't give up. You won't quit and flee. You'll come to the difficult times and persevere because you knew God had called you.
Where has God called us right now? Does it get difficult at times? Yes it does! Are you a quitter or do you persevere through the tough times? Did you consider the cost? is your heart in the right place? Are you doing this for self or for the Lord? Do you want the recognition or do you want God to have the recognition? Saul's heart was in the wrong place! Is our heart in the right place?
Being in a leadership position can be very challenging and stressful at times. Saul was given a great responsibility and he had the authority to do many things, but there were certain limits to what he could do. I’m reminded today of Luke 12:48.
“But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.”
Saul was in a tough spot. He was supposed to wait for Samuel, but it had been seven days and the people were scattering. Saul decided to take matters into his own hands. On the surface, it might not have sounded like such a bad idea to move forward with seeking the favor of the Lord, but Saul was really overstepping his boundaries here.
Did Saul really want to seek after the Lord to make the right decision and be blessed by Him? What was his motivation? I think that he was motivated more by a mixture of pride as being king and also fear of what was going to happen to him and his people. They were abandoning him and the situation was getting worse so he made a selfish decision. Maybe he thought that if the people saw him offer the burnt offering, they would be impressed by him as their king. I sometimes fall into this same dangerous ‘superhero’ trap where you get the mentality that you can do it all. “Look at me and all that I can do!”
Proverbs 16:18 is a good reminder to watch out!
“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”
I can also just imagine what might have been going through Saul’s mind.
Where was Samuel?
What was taking him so long?
Did he get killed?
What am I going to do now?
I’m the king and the people are looking to me for the answers.
I don’t think that in our modern world that we can quite grasp or fully comprehend Saul’s situation. Saul couldn’t just pull out a cell phone to text Samuel or give him a call to find out what was happening. He had to wait… and wait… and wait!
I can’t make excuses for Saul, but I was just trying to think about what it would have been like to be in his shoes. The reality is that he blew it and then Samuel showed up and told him how he acted foolishly and Samuel went on to reveal the consequences for Saul’s actions.
How many times have I done something wrong only to have someone show up moments later who could have done it right if I would have only waited?
How many times do we take matters into our own hands that aren’t meant to be in our hands instead of trusting the Lord and waiting on Him.
May we not seek recognition for ourselves, but always seek to give God the glory.
Pastor Blair has asked some great questions again as usual. As he already wrote, Saul’s heart was in the wrong place. Is our heart in the right place?
I so agree with both PB and Jim’s comments …
Saul’s sin – it wasn’t so much about Saul offering the sacrifice himself without the priestly assistance from Samuel or that he disobeyed Samuel’s command to wait for him 7 days before engaging the Philistines – it was more about his heart. He wanted to be the absolute power both in civil and sacred issues. When he saw his men scattering, he thought he had to do something – his faith was in what he saw not in God. (I’m as guilty of this as anyone.) His pride was beginning to rule his actions. Then when Samuel showed up, Saul tried to hide his sins in excuses. Saul was being tested and he failed.
Like Saul, our true spiritual character is revealed under pressure – in times of trial. God knows our true motives. He forgives, restores and blesses only when we are honest about our sins.
A pastor once said that the limb that bears the most fruit always hangs the lowest. So true! Don’t let pride get in the way of what God wants to do in your life. Lord, keep my head down in humility and awe of Your grace and mercy, and let my faith and trust be only in You.