Today's Scripture
Saul’s Fall – 1 Samuel 13:7-14
Today’s Reading Schedule: 1 Samuel 13-14 – Click to read
Saul stayed at Gilgal, and the troops followed him anxiously. 8 He waited seven days, the time appointed by Samuel, but Samuel didn’t come to Gilgal, and his troops began to desert. 9 So Saul ordered, “Bring me the entirely burned offering and the well-being sacrifices.” Then he offered the entirely burned offering.
10 The very moment Saul finished offering up the entirely burned offering, Samuel arrived. Saul went out to meet him and welcome him. 11 But Samuel said, “What have you done?”
“I saw that my troops were deserting,” Saul replied. “You hadn’t arrived by the appointed time, and the Philistines were gathering at Michmash. 12 I thought, The Philistines are about to march against me at Gilgal and I haven’t yet sought the Lord’s favor. So I took control of myself and offered the entirely burned offering.”
13 “How stupid of you to have broken the commands the Lord your God gave you!” Samuel told Saul. “The Lord would have established your rule over Israel forever, 14 but now your rule won’t last. The Lord will search for a man following the Lord’s own heart,[f] and the Lord will commission him as leader over God’s people, because you didn’t keep the Lord’s command.”
Devotion
What Does the passage Mean to Me/US?
We might question, why did Samuel come seven days late? Didn’t he think about Saul and the Israelites being anxious?
Yes, it would have helped if Samuel came early.
However, we need to see the fundamental problem, that we too often see things in our own perspective, not God’s.
When we are not able to see what and how God is working in our lives we tend to go before God.
Even our thought of going before God displays our arrogance, thinking that I am in charge, not God.
Or it might be our hearts not fully humbled by God’s ways, and keep on projecting our way.
I am called to follow God’s way. I so often, see how I go before God and don’t allow God doing God’s work.
Yes, if I lose humility the symptoms get severe.
Prayer
Lord, I humble myself to your ways. Mold me and use me for your glory. In Christ name, AMEN.
Click to subscribe to our Daily Devotion.
You will receive a devotion in your inbox every morning.