DAY12 Wait
Today’s Bible Reading
1 Samuel 13:7-14
“You have done a foolish thing,” Samuel said. “You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you.” - 1 Samuel 13:13
A man tried to beat the traffic by swerving around a lane of cars that had come to a stop. However, the lane he pulled into had just been laid with fresh cement, and his Porsche got stuck. This driver paid a high price for his impatience.
The Bible tells us about a king who also paid a high price for his impatience. Eager for God to lead the Israelites in their battle against the Philistines, Saul acted far too quickly. When Samuel did not arrive at the time Saul expected to offer a sacrifice to God’s, Saul became impatient and did it himself, disobeying God’s command (1 Samuel 13:8-9,13). Impatience led Saul to think he was above the law and to do things he was not allowed to do. He thought he could disobey God without getting into trouble. He was wrong.
When Samuel arrived, he forced Saul to face up to his disobedience and promised that Saul would lose the kingdom (vv.13-14). Saul’s refusal to wait for God’s timing caused him to lose his way (see Proverbs 19:2). His impatience showed he didn’t really trust God enough to wait for Him. God will provide, just at the right time, as we wait patiently for Him to bring about His plans.
By Mike Wittmer
Questions:
1. Why did some Hebrews cross the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead, and why were King Saul’s troops quaking with fear (1 Samuel 13:7)?
2. Why did Saul offer up the burnt offering instead of waiting for Samuel to arrive (1 Samuel 13:89,11-12)? Why was he wrong to do that (1 Samuel 13:13-14)?
3. Imagine having to wait for something you really, really want. What makes waiting easier or harder for you? If you were in Saul’s shoes, would you have made the sacrifice, or would you have waited for Samuel? Why?
Prayer:
God, please help us to trust in your goodness and love, and wait for your timing rather than rushing ahead of You and getting into trouble. In Jesus’ name, Amen.