1 Samuel 13:7-14
Some of them crossed the Jordan River and escaped into the land of Gad and Gilead.

Meanwhile, Saul stayed at Gilgal, and his men were trembling with fear. Saul waited there seven days for Samuel, as Samuel had instructed him earlier, but Samuel still didn’t come. Saul realized that his troops were rapidly slipping away. So he demanded, “Bring me the burnt and peace offerings!” And Saul sacrificed the burnt offering himself.

Just as Saul was finishing with the burnt offering, Samuel arrived. Saul went out to meet and welcome him, but Samuel said, “What is this you have done?”

Saul replied, “I saw my men scattering from me, and you didn’t arrive when you said you would, and the Philistines are at Micmash ready for battle. So I said, ‘The Philistines are ready to march against us at Gilgal, and I haven’t even asked for the Lord’s help!’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering myself before you came.”

“How foolish!” Samuel exclaimed. “You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you. Had you kept it, the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom must end, for the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart. The Lord has already appointed him to be the leader of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.” (NLT)

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Moses tried to do God’s will his own way (Exodus 2). He killed a man. Then, he spent forty years on the backside of nowhere trying to keep as much distance as possible between himself and his past.

In this passage, Saul also tries to do God’s will his own way. In previous chapters, he let God lead him to wise decisions. Now, he chose not to wait on God and his perfect timing and provision.

God is never early, never late. He is always on time. Where God guides, God provides. Saul wanted action, not waiting. His impatience was the first step of many in the wrong direction. Setting his mind on doing God’s will his own way prevented his kingdom from becoming a dynasty. God was looking for someone who would do his will his way in his timing. He was already preparing that boy to become that man.

Saul’s story continues downhill from here until that day when, on another hill, he meets his irresponsibility face to face, and it costs him his life.

Most of us can agree with this statement: “My impatience has cost me more than my actions on many occasions.”

Doing the right thing at the wrong time is a recipe for failure.

Doing the right thing in the wrong way is also a recipe for failure.

Attempting to solve all of our problems and to reach all of our goals apart from God’s provision and direction is the final ingredient in the recipe for failure.

Saul was tall and good at fighting. Saul impressed people with his appearance. Saul leveraged his unearned characteristics to lead the kingdom according to his often irrational decisions. (See the No Honey rule in chapter 14.)

Saul set himself up for a mighty fall.

It didn’t have to go this way or end this way.

Patience is a superpower. Trusting God empowers the impossible. Seeking God first, last, and always is the recipe for growth, development, and exponential generational success.

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I will learn the lessons of timing and provision and trust God for all I need.

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Our Father, you never fail. You are never early and never late. You never leave us nor forsake us. You provide everywhere you guide. You grant exponential generational success to those who do not outrun you or lag behind you. Empower me to live this day in step with you, aligned with your purpose, and attuned to your heart. Amen.