Waiting On God's Timing

"...Saul stayed at Gilgal, and his men were trembling with fear.

Saul waited there seven days for Samuel, as Samuel had instructed him earlier,

but Samuel still didn't come. Saul realized that his troops were rapidly slipping away.

So he demanded, "Bring me the burnt offering and the peace offerings!" And Saul sacrificed the burnt offering himself."

Just as Saul was finishing with the burnt offering, Samuel arrived. Saul went out to meet and welcome him, but Samuel said, "What is this this you have done?"

Saul replied, "I saw my men scattering from me, and you didn't arrive when you said you would, and the Philistines are at Micmash ready for battle. So I said, "The Philistines are ready to march against us at Gigal, and I haven't even asked for the LORD's help!" So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering myself before you came."

1 Samuel 13:8-12

In this passage, we see the King of Israel, Saul, with his army facing the biggest challenge they've ever faced against the Philistine army. Saul, though king, was given specific instructions by Samuel. It was imperative that Saul followed these instructions to the letter. These instructions were ultimately from God. But Saul was impatient. His men were fearful. They were going AWOL by the hundreds. Because of this, Saul's impatience lead him to disobey Samuel's instructions. Saul felt he had to do something quick to stop the massive dessertion of his army. So when Samuel didn't arrive when he said he would, Saul took matters into his own hands. He performed the sacrifices himself.

Saul's disobedience was a result of his impatience with God's perfect timing. It showed his true heart condition - a heart that was self-centered not God-centered. Saul was looking for what he thought was the quick fix. There was no trust in God, no honoring God, and no seeking God in Saul's actions. He thought he simply needed to perform the ritual. The ritual in and of itself would bring the Israelite army victory.

Like Saul, I'm so guilty of trying to take control of difficult circumstances and resolving them in my own way. I'm also guilty of not trusting God, waiting on His perfect timing. I find that when I become impatient and take matters into my own hands, my situation ends up worse off than before. I tend to look for a quick fix and sometimes don't always trust in God to resolve a situation. Saul's quick fix cost him big time. He ended up with an army of only 600 men against the enormous Philistine army! In addition, Saul lost the kingdom that day. (Read 1 Samuel 13:14-14)

You see, when we become impatient, we are tempted to disobey God. We are especially vulnerable to disobedience in difficult circumstances. When we know what God wants of us, we need to stick to His plan irregardless of the situation, consequences or how long it takes. What we may think of as a delay may be in His perfect timing. God may even delay His plans to develop in us patience, endurance, strength of character, and obedience. So, when we are faced with difficult circumstances, wait on God and his perfect timing. Trust Him and remain obedient. Don't go for that quick fix! He loves you and "...God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them." (Romans 8:28) Don't give up, friends!

In His Love, Cathy