Saul replied, “. . . I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering.”
—1 Samuel 13:11-12
Thought Of The Day...
A good story can make us nervous—even anxious. The characters find themselves in trouble, and we fear for them.
But when the story is our story, we don’t like to see trouble coming. That’s what Saul, the first king of Israel, discovered. God had chosen him as king and was prepared to bless him. But the vast Philistine army was headed straight toward the Israelite forces. Everyone was nervous, especially the young King Saul. The prophet Samuel had given him God’s instructions: wait for seven days and then Samuel would lead in a sacrifice to pray for success in battle. But as tensions rose, the king took matters into his own hands: he offered up the sacrifice himself, despite God’s clear instructions.
Samuel’s voice rang out just as Saul finished making the offering: “What have you done?” Saul tried to explain that he felt compelled to offer the sacrifice because the enemy was near and his men were scattering.
“‘You have done a foolish thing,’ Samuel said.” It turns out that this had been a test, a chance for Saul to decide in whom he would trust for his security. Saul’s nervousness showed that when it came right down to it, he trusted in his own efforts more than in God. That day proved to be the beginning of the end for Saul.
When God is “slow to show up” in your life, do you get nervous? What does that show? Are you willing to wait for him?
Prayer...
Father God, We come before you today with heavy hearts, filled with remorse and regret. We have failed to fully trust in you and instead, we have put our faith in our own resources. We have allowed our fears and doubts to cloud our minds, causing us to stray from your path.
Forgive us, dear Lord, for our lack of faith. Forgive us for the times we have relied on our own strength and wisdom rather than leaning on you. We ask for your forgiveness for the times we have doubted your plans and questioned your goodness.
Help us, Lord, to have a heart like David, who trusted in you with unwavering faith. Give us the courage to obey your commands and to follow your will for our lives. May we never forget that you are the source of our strength and our only true refuge.
May we learn from the mistake of Saul, who let his fears and impatience lead him to disobedience. May we always seek your guidance and have faith in your perfect timing.
Lord, we pray for your continued guidance and protection as we journey through life. Help us to always remember that you are faithful and that your plans for us are good.
In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen
—1 Samuel 13:11-12
Thought Of The Day...
A good story can make us nervous—even anxious. The characters find themselves in trouble, and we fear for them.
But when the story is our story, we don’t like to see trouble coming. That’s what Saul, the first king of Israel, discovered. God had chosen him as king and was prepared to bless him. But the vast Philistine army was headed straight toward the Israelite forces. Everyone was nervous, especially the young King Saul. The prophet Samuel had given him God’s instructions: wait for seven days and then Samuel would lead in a sacrifice to pray for success in battle. But as tensions rose, the king took matters into his own hands: he offered up the sacrifice himself, despite God’s clear instructions.
Samuel’s voice rang out just as Saul finished making the offering: “What have you done?” Saul tried to explain that he felt compelled to offer the sacrifice because the enemy was near and his men were scattering.
“‘You have done a foolish thing,’ Samuel said.” It turns out that this had been a test, a chance for Saul to decide in whom he would trust for his security. Saul’s nervousness showed that when it came right down to it, he trusted in his own efforts more than in God. That day proved to be the beginning of the end for Saul.
When God is “slow to show up” in your life, do you get nervous? What does that show? Are you willing to wait for him?
Prayer...
Father God, We come before you today with heavy hearts, filled with remorse and regret. We have failed to fully trust in you and instead, we have put our faith in our own resources. We have allowed our fears and doubts to cloud our minds, causing us to stray from your path.
Forgive us, dear Lord, for our lack of faith. Forgive us for the times we have relied on our own strength and wisdom rather than leaning on you. We ask for your forgiveness for the times we have doubted your plans and questioned your goodness.
Help us, Lord, to have a heart like David, who trusted in you with unwavering faith. Give us the courage to obey your commands and to follow your will for our lives. May we never forget that you are the source of our strength and our only true refuge.
May we learn from the mistake of Saul, who let his fears and impatience lead him to disobedience. May we always seek your guidance and have faith in your perfect timing.
Lord, we pray for your continued guidance and protection as we journey through life. Help us to always remember that you are faithful and that your plans for us are good.
In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen
Saul replied, “. . . I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering.”
—1 Samuel 13:11-12
Thought Of The Day...
A good story can make us nervous—even anxious. The characters find themselves in trouble, and we fear for them.
But when the story is our story, we don’t like to see trouble coming. That’s what Saul, the first king of Israel, discovered. God had chosen him as king and was prepared to bless him. But the vast Philistine army was headed straight toward the Israelite forces. Everyone was nervous, especially the young King Saul. The prophet Samuel had given him God’s instructions: wait for seven days and then Samuel would lead in a sacrifice to pray for success in battle. But as tensions rose, the king took matters into his own hands: he offered up the sacrifice himself, despite God’s clear instructions.
Samuel’s voice rang out just as Saul finished making the offering: “What have you done?” Saul tried to explain that he felt compelled to offer the sacrifice because the enemy was near and his men were scattering.
“‘You have done a foolish thing,’ Samuel said.” It turns out that this had been a test, a chance for Saul to decide in whom he would trust for his security. Saul’s nervousness showed that when it came right down to it, he trusted in his own efforts more than in God. That day proved to be the beginning of the end for Saul.
When God is “slow to show up” in your life, do you get nervous? What does that show? Are you willing to wait for him?
Prayer...
Father God, We come before you today with heavy hearts, filled with remorse and regret. We have failed to fully trust in you and instead, we have put our faith in our own resources. We have allowed our fears and doubts to cloud our minds, causing us to stray from your path.
Forgive us, dear Lord, for our lack of faith. Forgive us for the times we have relied on our own strength and wisdom rather than leaning on you. We ask for your forgiveness for the times we have doubted your plans and questioned your goodness.
Help us, Lord, to have a heart like David, who trusted in you with unwavering faith. Give us the courage to obey your commands and to follow your will for our lives. May we never forget that you are the source of our strength and our only true refuge.
May we learn from the mistake of Saul, who let his fears and impatience lead him to disobedience. May we always seek your guidance and have faith in your perfect timing.
Lord, we pray for your continued guidance and protection as we journey through life. Help us to always remember that you are faithful and that your plans for us are good.
In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen
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