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I don’t know about you, but there are few things I dislike more than waiting.
It doesn’t matter if I’m stuck in traffic, waiting in the grocery pick-up line, or waiting for an answer to prayer; delayed answers, confrontations, or resolutions have often brought me much anxiety and stress. Why? Because I like to be in control. I like to have predictable outcomes. I like knowing the answer to what comes after A (the answer is B). And yet, life rarely happens on this type of schedule. A Biblical Example: Saul’s Restless Waiting
In 1 Samuel 13-14, King Saul encountered this type of waiting. Though he reigned for 42 years as King, war continued in Philistia. Saul knew that defeating this enemy would take wit, strength, and a powerful army. So, he selected 3,000 special troops to fight and sent the rest of the men home. 2,000 men went to Micmash, and 1,000 went to Gibeah.
Jonathan, Saul’s son, then attacked and defeated the garrison of Philistines at Geba. Because of this news, Saul commanded the Hebrews to revolt. Everyone in Israel heard this news, and the Philistines’ hatred for God’s people continued to grow. The Philistines then mustered 3,000 chariots, 6,000 charioteers, and as many warriors as the grains of sand on the seashore to attack the men of Israel. Being hard pressed by the enemy, the men of Israel tried to hide or escape into the land of Gad and Gilead. Saul, however, stayed in Gilgal.
Quickly, great fear swept over Saul and his people. He knew that Samuel had instructed him to wait for the Lord, but as the enemy grew stronger, time seemed to stand still. His troops were rapidly slipping away, and he didn’t know what else to do. You can almost hear Saul asking the same questions we do when the waiting makes us weary:
-Where is God?
-Is He going to show up?
-Should I take matters into my own hands?
-What if we’re defeated?
-What if the enemy wins?
-Where is Samuel?
-Will he keep his word?
Sadly, taking matters into his own hands (as many of us sometimes do), Saul sacrificed a burnt offering himself—a task reserved for priests or those chosen by God for this special task. Just as Saul was finishing with the burnt offering, Samuel arrived. You can immediately hear the regret in his voice: “What is this you have done?” (1 Samuel 13:11, NLT).
Like many of us, Saul comes up with an extensive list of excuses:
-My men were scattering.
-You didn’t arrive when you said you would.
-The Philistines are at Micmash ready for battle.
-I had to act.
-I had to ask God for help.
-I had to take matters into my own hands.
These reasons sound familiar, don’t they!?
