Follow Directions

1 Samuel 13:8-9 “He waited seven days, the time appointed by Samuel; but Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and the people began to slip away from Saul. So Saul said, “Bring the burnt offering here to me, and the offerings of well-being.” And he offered the burnt offering.”
       Think back - When have you jumped the gun? When have you gone ahead before you were told to do so? When have you done something outside of your authority? All of these things happened in this passage when Saul decided to do as he pleased instead of waiting on the man of God. Saul was King and a military leader, Samuel was an anointed prophet and served in priestly fashion during Saul’s reign. Samuel had given specific instructions from God, yet Saul in his anxiousness overrode these instructions and stepped beyond his boundaries and performed offerings he was not privileged to do.
     If you read further in the scriptures you will see that because of this act Samuel tells Saul that his days as king are numbered and his lineage will not stand forever but that God has sought out a man “after his heart” to rule.
     Continued reading of this scripture also tells us that immediately after Saul had done this deed Samuel showed up. If only he had waited just a little while longer he might have remained king and his children and future generations would have reigned in Israel. When we become impatient and do not wait on God that is usually the case -immediately after we choose to do things our way then we see God’s providence and how we messed up. Don’t throw your destiny to the wind, stay in the favor of God. Stay focused on what he has told you to do; how he has told you to do it; where, when and with whom he has instructed. Lean not to your own understanding but in all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your path. Follow directions.
     Every day is a good day; it’s up to us to make it a Great Day! Be blessed! Rev. Dr. JoAnn