DAY 3: Saul Oversteps
Think about a time when you were a child and your parents told you that you needed to finish something (perhaps your homework or some household chores) before you could do something else you really wanted to do. But as the time dragged on, you really struggled to follow through. Your favorite TV show was coming on, and even though your homework wasn’t completely finished, you felt like it was finished enough that you could justify turning the TV on.
What happened? Chances are, you got caught. And the punishment was far more severe than you anticipated.
In 1 Samuel 13, Saul finds himself and his troops in a bad situation. The prophet Samuel had given Saul specific instructions on what not to do (1 Samuel 10:8), but Saul disobeyed. He felt under pressure to do what needed to be done, so he trusted in himself instead of the instructions God had already provided. The lesson he learned is clear: How we accomplish a goal or task is more important than completing the task.
As you read today, consider this: Read 1 Samuel 13. Would you have responded any differently to the situation than Saul?
READING & JOURNALING:
1 SAMUEL 13:1-23, DEUTERONOMY 12:4-14
Would you have responded any differently to the situation than Saul?
Why do you think Samuel was so displeased with Saul’s decision? (See also, Deuteronomy 12:4-14)
F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)
Read: Genesis 11 & 12
Journal: Write it out. Following the pattern from 7 Arrows Page (click here) what did you learn from today’s reading?
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, I confess there are many times in which I want to see something get done, and that I’m more concerned about it being done than I am concerned about how it was accomplished. Saul’s story is a reminder that how something is done is much more important. Father, my desire is to complete the projects and tasks before me with character and integrity. Reveal to me my character defects, and break me and make me into the person You most desire me to be. I pray these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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