Readings for today: 1 Samuel 13-14, Luke 14:1-24
Recently, I took on the responsibility of taking our two dogs on their daily walk. Frankly, I got tired of the dogs tearing up my house because my teenagers would “forget” to take them. ;-) We go on a three and a half mile track around our neighborhood to wear them out and they love every minute of it. One of my dogs - Dusty - walks the entire time at my side. He never gets ahead. Never lags behind. He’s always in step with me. The other dog - Dusty Jr. - strains at the leash the entire time. He’s constantly pulling to get ahead. Constantly wanting to go his own way. Now, admittedly, DJ is still a puppy. Still learning. But it’s a great lesson for me on how to wait on God. You see, I am too often like DJ. Constantly pulling and straining on God’s leash as I seek to get ahead or go my own way. What I need to learn is how to be like Dusty. I need to learn that the destination is less important than simply being in my Master’s presence.
Saul strains at the leash. His anxious. He’s afraid. His people are trembling. They are beginning to desert in droves. Saul’s not sure he can continue to hold things together. He has waited the required seven days. He has done his part. Now is the time for action. Now is the time to make things happen. So he offers the sacrifice. Right as he finishes, Samuel shows up and asks Saul what he has done. Saul’s response is telling. “When I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines had mustered at Michmash, I said, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the favor of the Lord.’ So I forced myself, and offered the burnt offering.” (1 Samuel 13:11-12) Saul lost faith. Lost faith in himself. Lost faith in Samuel. Ultimately, he lost faith in the Lord. All because he didn’t have the patience to wait on the Lord.
What was Saul’s problem? He saw God as a means to an end. He saw the sacrifice as a means to gain the Lord’s favor which in turn would give him a victory over his enemies. Saul didn’t have a “heart after God.” His heart was for himself. His glory. His power. His authority. His position as king. And that’s why Samuel responds the way he does. “But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be prince over his people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.” (1 Samuel 13:14) Samuel could see the selfish nature of Saul’s heart. It was selfishness that ultimately drove Saul’s impatience. It was selfishness that drove him to offer the sacrifice too early. And it was selfishness that cost him the kingdom in the end.
Friends, waiting on God is different than waiting on an outcome or a particular answer to prayer or the fulfillment of a heart’s desire. Those things are not bad in themselves but if we find ourselves growing impatient with God’s timing, it’s most likely because we value the gift over the Giver. We treasure the answer more than the One who graciously hears our prayers. We long for the destination more than we long for the presence of the One who faithfully walks with us every step of the way. So where are you waiting on God today? And are you truly waiting on Him or are you waiting on an answer? Do you find yourself growing impatient? Stop straining at the leash. Relax. Rest. Abide in God’s presence and trust Him to carry you all the way home.
Readings for tomorrow: 1 Samuel 15-19, Luke 14:25-15:10