“Saul waited seven days, the time appointed by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and the people were scattering from him. So Saul said, ‘Bring the burnt offering here to me, and the peace offerings.’ And he offered the burnt offering. As soon as he had finished offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came. And Saul went out to meet him and greet him. Samuel said, ‘What have you done?’ And Saul said, ‘When I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines had mustered at Michmash, I said, “Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the favor of the LORD.” So I forced myself, and offered the burnt offering.’ And Samuel said to Saul, ‘You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the LORD your God, with which He commanded you. For then the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not continue.'” 1 Sam. 13:8-14a
Devotional Thought For The Day
This is a tragic account. It seems that there are times when we are pressed between a rock and a hard place. Saul was still a fairly new king and his enemies were formidable. He had faith in God, knew that without God’s help the battle would be lost. He also had respect for Samuel and wanted to do what was right. But in the interim, waiting for Samuel to offer the sacrifices, Saul’s army was falling apart. This would spell disaster. So he opted to violate the order God had established in regard to the sacrifices, choosing to make the sacrificial offering himself rather waiting for Samuel to do so. This choice was foolish, as it was based upon what was seen rather than flowing out of faith and trust in God.
Some commentators make much of Saul’s character and motives, some even suggesting that Samuel was putting Saul to the test by tarrying to the last minute. They suggest that Saul wanted full and tyrannical control over all aspects of authority within the nation, both political and religious. I’m not sure the text warrants such damning judgments; but it is certain that Saul violated the Word of God, perhaps unwillingly, but out of rational expediency rather than out of faith in God. Given the circumstances we might be empathetic toward Saul and think that the consequence was too dramatic – that Saul would be the last of his family to reign over Israel. However, such accounts reveal what is truly important to God, that we put faith and trust in Him, that we heed and follow His Word, and that we not violate the order, the system He has established to bless mankind.
We also face difficult decisions from time to time, where circumstances are such that following the Word of God seems inexpedient. At times, following the instructions of God’s Word even seems counter-productive to the God-given goals of the church. At times it may seem as if those who are placed into the church by God Himself, as the servants of His Word and sacraments, are “tarrying,” or are in other respects derelict in carrying out their duties. We may think it our place and responsibility to “judge” the servant of another, or we may even be tempted to abrogate God’s order and usurp some of the duties ourselves – without any calling from God to do so. However, we should take careful thought as to what consequences such thinking, judging, and behaving may bring into our lives. God is a God of order, not of confusion [1 Cor. 14:33,40], and He will surely discipline those who erode away the authority of His Word, the Bible.
I must say that it is frustrating and produces angst when we follow God’s Word but it seems that evils follow rather than good, that the growth of the kingdom is hampered rather than enhanced. These are certainly faith-testing times in our lives, and times that probably reveal things about our character. We are often naive and unaware of just how our faith is being tested by God, but when we are being pressed as Saul was, and being tempted to doing something expedient that conflicts with God’s Word, we might want to take great care and consideration as to what that decision might do to our relationship with God. There is surely forgiveness for all of our sins, but we do not want to remain in commitment to sin but rather to grow in our commitment to God. May He grant us strength of faith and constancy, to walk in faith and never violate His Word.
Prayer For The Day
Dear Lord Jesus, often You have witnessed our capitulations to common sense against Your Word and without faith and trust in You. At the time these seem small and innocuous, however, every violation of Your Word is quite serious and can bring disastrous consequences. Help us to grow more faithful and trusting, with ever deeper commitment to heeding and obeying Your Word. Keep us from judging others, and focused on the tasks You have given us. Amen.