1 Samuel 13 -- Saul's Decline

"We see Saul making foolish and unwise decisions and trying to cover his disobedience with lies.  It was the beginning of his tragic decline ... We can trace the downward steps in his tragic failure:

Pride:  "Over 300,000 men had volunteered to deliver the people of Jabesh Gilead, but Saul chose only 3,000 and divided them between himself and Jonathan."

Unbelief and impatience:  "Saul waited for Samuel for seven days, and the longer he waited, the more concerned he became.  His army was melting away ... this rendezvous was the Lord's way of testing Saul's faith and patience.  Without faith and patience, we can't receive what the Lord promises ... Until we learn to trust God and wait on His timing, we can't learn the other lessons He wants to teach us, nor can we receive the blessings He's planned for us ... Without waiting for God's appointed priest, Saul offered the sacrifice, and just then Samuel arrived in the camp.  If Saul had waited just a few minutes more, everything would have been all right, but his impatience cost him dearly."

Deception:  "We see him deceiving himself and others more and more.  His first deception at Gilgal occurred when he greeted Samuel cordially and expected him to give him a blessing ... His second lie consisted in blaming Samuel and the soldiers and not himself ... He lied a third time when he said that he had to force himself to offer the sacrifice.  Could he not have forced himself to pray? ... The will is the servant of the mind and heart, but Saul's thinking and desiring were totally out of the will of God."

Folly:  "It was foolish of Saul to think that he could disobey God and get away with it, and that his disobedience could bring God's blessing ... 'Whatever is not of faith is sin.' "

Father, help me as I walk with You not to let pride creep in.  Let me always give You the glory.  Help me to believe that with You anything is possible.  You've proven that time and time again.  Don't allow me to deceive myself or anyone else by my unbelief, and remind me often just how foolish it is to think that I could prosper by deceiving You or others.

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford