I Samuel 13:7-9
“Saul remained at Gilgal, and all the troops with him were quaking with fear. He waited seven days, the time set by Samuel; but Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and Saul’s men began to scatter. So he said, “Bring me the burnt offering and the fellowship offerings.” And Saul offered up the burnt offering.
This was a stressful time. They were at war and in a vulnerable position. It was Saul’s first test. Unfortunately, he failed. He offered the sacrifice, which was Samuel’s job. When he finally arrived, Saul had finished. He inquired and said he completed the religious service. Samuel was furious and said that his kingdom would be taken from him.
Saul was panicked and Samuel was late. However, he was to wait for God’s representative. I understand Saul’s anxiety. Many were relying on him, but he was waiting on Samuel. Waiting is a big part of the Lord’s methods. Patience does’t easily.
Psalm 37:7-9 says, “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.”
The long spells in which we wait is one way the Lord peals away our own pursuits. We may be full of ideas and some of them may be good. However, others aren’t. In time, we loosen our grip and say, “Thy will be done.”
We need to learn to have a light grasp on things. At times we cling to our pursuits so tightly, that we don’t leave room for the Lord to work. Unfortunately, we invite misery by not letting go. We greatly misunderstand the Lord when we do this.
God’s ways are the best for us. I Corinthians 2:9 says, “But as it has been written: ‘What no eye has seen, and no ear has heard, and has not entered into heart of man, what God has prepared for those loving Him.'” He will perform these great things in our lives, we just need to wait and yield to Him. He knows us far better than we know ourselves. He created us. Some of the things we desire would actually be harmful.
Hebrews 11:6 gives a wonderful description of faith, “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” We might come to Christ not understanding this. However, He works it in us. We begin to see His loving touch every where we go.
Lord, help us to patiently wait for You. Help us not to be so stubborn, but to have a light hold on our plans. Thank You for Your work in us. It’s the best we could ever dream of.