131Saul was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned over Israel forty-two years.2 Saul chose three thousand men from Israel; two thousand were with him at Mikmash and in the hill country of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan at Gibeah in Benjamin. The rest of the men he sent back to their homes.3Jonathan attacked the Philistine outpost at Geba, and the Philistines heard about it. Then Saul had the trumpet blown throughout the land and said, “Let the Hebrews hear!” 4So all Israel heard the news: “Saul has attacked the Philistine outpost, and now Israel has become obnoxious to the Philistines.” And the people were summoned to join Saul at Gilgal.5The Philistines assembled to fight Israel, with three thousand chariots, six thousand charioteers, and soldiers as numerous as the sand on the seashore. They went up and camped at Mikmash, east of Beth Aven. 6When the Israelites saw that their situation was critical and that their army was hard pressed, they hid in caves and thickets, among the rocks, and in pits and cisterns. 7Some Hebrews even crossed the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. Saul remained at Gilgal, and all the troops with him were quaking with fear. 8He waited seven days, the time set by Samuel; but Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and Saul’s men began to scatter. 9So he said, “Bring me the burnt offering and the fellowship offerings.” And Saul offered up the burnt offering. 10Just as he finished making the offering, Samuel arrived, and Saul went out to greet him.11“What have you done?” asked Samuel. 1 Samuel 13: 1-11
It was by the Lord’s choice that Saul became king. It was the Lord who established him as ruler, but something happened to Saul’s perspective of things.
Notice that when Saul called the fighting men to come and join him in the fight against the Philistines they were very afraid! When they saw the might of the Philistines they quaked with fear, hid in caves and some left. Samuel had told Saul he was coming to offer the sacrifice. Saul saw that the men were starting to scatter. He had his eyes on his troops, not the power of the Lord! It is the Lord who wins our battles, not people. So Saul decided to take matters into his own hands and offer the sacrifice to speed things up and hopefully keep the men who were left from leaving before the battle. As a result of his impatience and lack of faith he lost his crown and the Lord selected David.
Aren’t we like that? How many times have I decided to “do something” instead of patiently waiting for the Lord because things were taking too long? When the Lord keeps us waiting it is hard – but He is worth it! He has the solutions to our problems. When we pray for help let’s lean on, rely on and trust Him to do it.
I had prayed for a job and I had to wait for it. Later I learned that the girl who had the job before me had left three days before I applied. The Lord had me there just at the right time to get the job. During my “waiting time” she had still been in the job. Also they had decided during my “waiting time” that a three month training period was needed for anyone taking that job. Guess what? I had no experience that matched that job, but the Lord gave it to me and it was in His perfect timing!
Jesus is Lord!
