Wait On The Lord

 Just as Saul was finishing with the burnt offering, Samuel arrived.  Saul went out to meet and welcome him, but Samuel said, "What is this you have done?"

Saul replied, "I saw my men scattering from me, and you didn't arrive when you said you would, and the Philistines are at Micmash ready for battle.  So I said, 'The Philistines are ready to march against us at Gilgal, and I haven't even asked for the Lord's help!'  So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering myself before you came."

"How foolish!" Samuel exclaimed.  "You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you.  Had you kept it, the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever."

1 Samuel 13:10-13 NLT

Saul felt his resources slipping away and he began to panic.  Although he was told to wait on Samuel to offer up a burnt offering, he went ahead and did it on his own.  So often we can relate to Saul.  In his moment of fear and worry, as the enemy was fast approaching and gaining strength, his own army was dwindling in numbers.  His soldiers were running away in fear and he began to feel his time was running out.  Saul took matters into his own hands.  Out of his fear he disobeyed God's orders to wait.   What seemed like the right thing to do in a moment of despair, and with little time to react he offered up a burnt offering because he thought it was the right thing to do.  He wasn't offering up his control or his trust in God's timing.  He was just going through the motions in order to protect himself.  God did not except the offering.  Saul's heart wasn't in it.  His trust in God's timing had failed.  He disobeyed and would lose his kingdom.  When we are faced with rush and panic fills our minds it is important to stay true to God's plan for us.  As we spend time with him daily we will know what is right and when to wait.  He will show us what to do and where to go and expect us to obey His call.  When your resources begin to disappear and things start to go in a direction you weren't expecting don't let your fear cause you to disobey God.  When you know what God wants make sure to follow Him regardless of what things look like and how they might end up.  Those bumps in the road and delays in our travel are often used to test our obedience and patience for bigger tasks ahead.