I Samuel 13:11,12
‘”What have you done?” asked Samuel. Saul replied, “When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Mikmash, I thought, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the Lord’s favor.’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering.”’
Saul was desperate. He felt the weight of the people’s anxiety pointing in his direction. Waiting for Samuel was getting difficult, so he acted in a role that wasn’t his responsibility. Not that he was being helpful, but out of line.
We can all relate to be stressed out by circumstances. Sometimes our job is to wait. Most of our troubles are resolved in a couple of days. Other times, it could be stretched out to a week. While this is difficult, that is a relatively short time. Some issues could last weeks, months or even years.
These long problems can push our anxiety to levels that we haven’t experienced. The pain can be great. Saul doubtfully was waiting this long, however he was feeling the weight of the nation. He could handle some waiting, but the experience was unreasonable in his mind. So, he acted by doing what was Samuel’s job.
Pressure can back us into corners that leave us few options. These times might have us doing things that we would normally never do. That was Saul’s reality. It’s hard to be judgmental, as we might find ourselves in a desperate spot.
I’m prompted to pray for mercy. I think of the Lord’s Prayer where Jesus tells us to pray that we won’t be led into temptation. But to be delivered from evil. These circumstances could happen due to our poor choices, other times the Lord sends them to mature us. Prayer can help us make wise choices to avoid them or it could prepare us for the tough time.
What should Saul have done. He should have reassured the people that Samuel is on his way. He could have said, “I know this feels like a time for action, but we need to wait for the Lord.” We should follow the same advice. Some times inaction and waiting for Him is the right thing. The Lord doesn’t always promise an answer. Sometimes we pray, “Lord, I would like Your guidance. I’m going to do this. If it’s a bad idea, please show me.” Much of life has to be treated this way.
Our first guidance comes from scripture. We should never act contrary to it. Another item to pay attention to is God’s peace and our gut. He often uses those. I Corinthians 14:33 says, “For God is not a God of disorder, but of peace. As in all the congregations of the saints”. If we sense confusion when we sense the Lord is directing us, it probably isn’t the Lord. Saul felt compelled to act. It was out of fear and public pressure. That was miles away from a decision made in peace.
As we walk with the Lord and practice obeying His voice we get better at it. Hebrews 5:14 says, “But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil”. Just as this type of practice trains our senses to distinguish good from evil, so walking in obedience allows us to better know His voice.
Lord, keep us from evil. Help us not to be hasty in our decisions, but to wait on You. Thank You that You’ll guide us.