1 Samuel 13:11-12

New International Version (NIV)

“When I saw that the men were scattering … I thought, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal … So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering.”

For meditation

There is a hilarious story told of a rural pastor who was in desperate need for money. A circus came to town that was offering five hundred dollars for anyone who would enter the cage of a lion and stay with the beast for five minutes. The poor pastor remembered the story of Daniel and quickly signed up for it. He entered the cage, and seeing the ferocious animal, backed himself into a corner. He became frightened when he saw the lion following him, so he fell on his knees and prayed for the Lord to deliver him. When he opened his eyes, he was surprised to see the lion sitting, and with its fore feet clasped in a praying posture. He asked the lion:

“What are you praying for?”

“I am thanking God for the sumptuous meal I am about to enjoy.”

Haven’t all of us been there before – those times when circumstances pushed us to the brink, and out of desperation, we made very poor and costly decisions. They could have been dire need for money, positions of influence, recognition, or any other material possession. The desperation button could have been pushed by fear or any threatening situation. What followed in all of these may have been disastrous and regrettable.

King Saul reminds us of such moments. Confronted by a fearsome adversary, the Philistines, a fear-stricken and scattering Israelite army, and a delayed Samuel, the king desperately “offered up the burnt offering”, a priestly function he was forbidden to perform (1 Sam. 13:5-9). As a result, Saul lost the kingdom of Israel for his posterity (13-14). If only he could have trusted the Lord and been a little patient, things could have been different; for, “Just as he finished making the offering, Samuel arrived” (10).

1. Is there any need in your life that is pushing you to the point of desperation?
2. Is it the fear of losing something or a menacing adversary in your life?
3. Have you considered the repercussions of your desperate decision?
4. Remember this scripture? “Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there?” (Jer. 8:22).
5. Can you trust the Lord and patiently wait for Him to come through for you?

I pray you’ll be encouraged by these words of Isaiah:  “But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint” (Is. 40:31).

So: May you find new strength as you trust in Jesus, who is never late to deliver; and may He deliver and exalt you, as He did for Joseph, who honored God in all his ordeals without breaking.

When pushed by circumstances to make a desperate move, hold on tightly to your faith; for Jesus is right at your doorstep.

Shalom