Do I Respond to Circumstances or to the Word of God?

The Philistines were getting ready to attack Israel. Their numbers and logic were much better. Samuel told Saul to wait seven days and that he would come before the fight to make sacrifices. Saul could see the Israelites leaving and the enemy coming together. He believed he had to get people to work together. Samuel had said he would come at a certain time. Instead of following God’s word with faith, Saul relied on what he knew.

“What is going on?” Samuel asked as soon as he got there after the sacrifice was made. Saul gave a reason for what he did. He sounded like a holy person. “Before the battle, I had to ask God to help me.” I was compelled to.” But that’s not what God’s prophet told him to do. Who is forcing them? Because of his own worries, doubts, and fears. He did something about it himself. This was the first time he rebelled.

In modern times, we might call Jesus the son of Saul instead of the Son of David if Saul had stayed true to God. But Jesus had to come from the line of Judah anyway. Throughout our lives, we make faith decisions that have a wide range of effects. Do we trust God even when we see a lot of bad things happening? Will we handle things ourselves because we don’t believe God will or can help? Or will we have hope and be blessed?

Think about this question: Do I react to events or to God’s Word?