Willing to Wait

Saul had just begun his reign as Israel’s first king when his army won a surprising victory over the Philistines. Eager to retaliate, the Philistines gathered a large army that included chariots, horsemen, and “people like the sand which is on the seashore in abundance.”

The sight of this massive force caused great fear among the Israelites. Many hid. Others fled. Those who remained were “trembling.” What was Saul to do?

Through the prophet Samuel, God promised to provide what Saul needed. He was to go to Gilgal and wait seven days. But, after waiting for seven days, nothing seemed to have happened. Saul decided that he had waited long enough. So he went ahead with the burnt offering.

But Samuel arrived just as Saul finished the offering. Trying to explain his actions, Saul pointed out that the Israelites were scattering. He felt that, as their king, he needed to do something. So he moved forward.

Saul might have felt justified, but to God he had failed a test. He had “acted foolishly,” and not kept His commands. He was not a man after His own heart, and the kingdom would be taken from him.

This is a picture of how God works in our lives. In His Word, He has given us patterns and principles that work. And He has given us His Spirit to teach us all things (John 14:26). But He also has given us the choice of how and when to respond.

As you face choices, what will you decide? To do things His way, or compromise? Will you trust Him completely and wait for His perfect timing, or will you grow impatient and move forward on your own? He watches to see how you respond.