Day 133: Saul Loses Patience

Romans 4; 1 Samuel 13; Psalm 58

Paul says that "everything depends on having faith in God." Without faith, God's salvation cannot be given; without faith, we will not be given wisdom and peace; without faith, none of his promises can be bestowed on us.  How do you know you are doing what God has called you to do?  Have faith in the Holy Spirit's whisperings in your heart.  How do you know if you are supposed to serve in that way? Have faith that God will make it clear.  How do you know if you are supposed to give your money or possessions away?  Have faith that God will provide. How do you know if you are really saved?  Have faith that God does what he says he does.  When I'm struggling with my own self worth, with confidence, with purpose, what should be my response?  Having faith, trusting in The Lord's word that he is who he says and I am worth what is written in scripture.

Here's the verse of the concept that I've been thinking about a lot lately because of the fear of the Israelites in the Old Testament:  "God gave Jesus to die for our sins, and he raised him to life, so that we would be made acceptable to God."  How awesome is that!  Through Jesus, not our own actions or committment or fantabulousness, we are made acceptable to God!

Back in chapter 10 verse 8 (something I missed the first time and had to look for), Samuel gives Saul the command to go to this place and wait a week, then Samuel will show up and offer a sacrifice.  So Saul is hanging out with his army who is quickly deserting him and shaking in their sandals, and he loses patience and faith.  He decides that he needs to offer the sacrifice in order to show his soldiers that God is really there.  I think there a lot that can be taken from this story.  The first is obviously patience; wait on The Lord.  God's plan sometimes requires us to wait until what seems like that last possible moment, but (as stated just above) we must have faith if we want to experience the fruits of God's work in this world and in our lives.  Saul didn't have patience and he lost God's blessing.  Then, he offers a sacrifice, which in itself is not wrong, but he did it out of fear, out of pride, and it was not his place.  That would be like us going to church and serving in a way that isn't for God, but it is to bring ourselves glory; or it is like going to the altar during a service, not because we want to bow down before The Lord, but because we want others to think us more holy.  God knew Saul's heart and he knew that he was struggling.  He acted out of fear and pride, and disobeyed.