Patient to Receive God’s Blessing

“Just as he finished making the offering, Samuel arrived . . .‘You acted foolishly. . .You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you; if you had, He would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time.’” 1 Samuel 13:10-13 NIV

An offering was needed, and Samuel told Saul that, in fulfillment of his position as priest, he would officiate. His instructions were that Saul was to wait seven days. Then, Samuel would arrive for the sacrifice. Saul waited, but as the days passed, he became impatient. Facing the pressures and problems of the nation, he elected to offer the sacrifice himself.

To his surprise, Samuel arrived just as Saul “finished making the offering.” In other words, Saul just had to wait a little longer. But he “acted foolishly” and did not keep the commands God gave him.

Saul did not realize it, but he had failed God’s test. Samuel said that God was seeking “a man after his own heart.” Because Saul would not wait, his kingdom was taken from him.

This story demonstrates the limits of our human understanding. It is easy to be like Saul and become impatient with God. To want to do things ourselves, when we think it is right.

We may have prayed about a situation. But, if we do not see results, we can decide to take action on our own initiative. But, as Samuel told Saul, God looks for people who have a “heart after His own heart.” These people trust in Him, and relentlessly seek to obey Him. They realize that His timing is perfect. They believe and trust Him, even when circumstances tempt them to become impatient.

Today, make sure that you are trusting completely in God. Don’t give up, even if you don’t see results. Keep trusting in Him. And keep obeying His Word. Committed to have a heart after His heart.

Prayer: Father, help me to trust You in every situation I face. I believe that Your timing is perfect. Forgive me for being impatient. I commit my life into your hands. In Jesus’ name. Amen.