Disobedience Is the Beginning of The End
The Philistines assembled to fight Israel...When 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...Saul remained at Gilgal and all the troops with him were quaking with fear. He waited seven days, the time set by Samuel ; but Samuel did not come to Gilgal and Saul’s men began to scatter. So he said, “Bring me the burnt offerings and the fellowship offerings.” And Saul offered up the burnt offering.
Just as he finished making the offering, Samuel arrived… “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...I thought… I have not sought the LORD’s favor.” So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering.”
“You have done a foolish thing.” Samuel said, “You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you; if you had, He would have established your Kingdom over Israel for all time. But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after His own heart and appointed him ruler of His people because you have not kept the LORD’s command.” I Samuel 13:5-15
Just as he finished making the offering, Samuel arrived… “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...I thought… I have not sought the LORD’s favor.” So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering.”
“You have done a foolish thing.” Samuel said, “You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you; if you had, He would have established your Kingdom over Israel for all time. But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after His own heart and appointed him ruler of His people because you have not kept the LORD’s command.” I Samuel 13:5-15
God is a promise-keeper. His timing might sometimes scare us to death but He will always show up no matter what! The prophet Samuel had specifically instructed king Saul to wait for him until he came to offer the burnt sacrifices. But Saul was frightened by the sight of enemy soldiers who had assembled to attack Israel. His own soldiers were fleeing in fear and Saul felt compelled to take matters into his own hands. He decided to function independently of the law of God and the word of the prophet of God. He acted in disobedience.
As king, offering the burnt sacrifices and fellowship offerings was outside his bounds of authority. It belonged to Samuel the prophet. Somehow, Saul did not factor in the cost of going outside his boundary of authority. His circumstances drove him to cross that line. The result was that he lost the right to a future dynasty. This act of disobedience was the beginning of the end for Saul. From that point on, it was all downhill.
One of the very effective strategies of Satan is to put so much pressure on us that we are compelled by our circumstances to act in disobedience to God. Such disobedience, needless to say, can result in the forfeiture of divine blessings.
Let us not be ignorant of the devices of the enemy. Let us be sober and vigilant at all times so that we can discern the ways of the enemy and stick to the path of obedience no matter how pressed we are by our circumstances. Faithful is He who has promised and He will always come through. Disobeying God’s word is never worth it. Disobedience is the beginning of the end.
As king, offering the burnt sacrifices and fellowship offerings was outside his bounds of authority. It belonged to Samuel the prophet. Somehow, Saul did not factor in the cost of going outside his boundary of authority. His circumstances drove him to cross that line. The result was that he lost the right to a future dynasty. This act of disobedience was the beginning of the end for Saul. From that point on, it was all downhill.
One of the very effective strategies of Satan is to put so much pressure on us that we are compelled by our circumstances to act in disobedience to God. Such disobedience, needless to say, can result in the forfeiture of divine blessings.
Let us not be ignorant of the devices of the enemy. Let us be sober and vigilant at all times so that we can discern the ways of the enemy and stick to the path of obedience no matter how pressed we are by our circumstances. Faithful is He who has promised and He will always come through. Disobeying God’s word is never worth it. Disobedience is the beginning of the end.
Prayer: Lord, your word is clear that obedience is the path to divine favor and blessings. Please help me to walk in steadfast obedience and shun every path of disobedience. Amen.