“And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed: but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him.
And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings.  And he offered the burnt offering.
And it came to pass, that as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might salute him.
And Samuel said, What hast thou done?  And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou camest not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash;  Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the LORD: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering.
And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.
But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee,”   1 Samuel 13:8-14 (KJV)

Earlier, in 1 Samuel 10:8, we read, “And you shalt go down before me to Gilgal; and, behold, I will come down unto thee, to offer burnt offerings, and to sacrifice sacrifices of peace offerings; seven days salt thou tarry, till I come to thee, and shew thee what thou shalt do.”

Beloved, oh how you need to listen to the LORD’s instructions, and not stray from them.

You must learn to wait upon Him and not get ahead of Him.  How many times out of fear, desperation, or just plain impatience, do you make foolish decisions, and the consequences of those wrong choices result in much trouble and cause great setbacks in your walk with God.

What a great responsibility our leaders carry to obey God, and how a whole nation will suffer because they will not listen to God.

Israel had rejected God as their king, and asked for an earthly king.  Look what happened to the king they chose, and then look at the loss that came to them as a nation because of their rebellion.

Has the LORD given you specific instructions?… Then stick to them, no matter what… no compromise.  Don’t weaken your principles and expose yourself to danger.

Pay attention to His words and incline your ear to His sayings, then you will have LIFE!  Put your eyes on the LORD and don’t give up now…  Yes, He has put “this treasure in earthen vessels, THAT THE EXCELLENCY OF THE POWER MAY BE OF GOD, AND NOT OF US.” (2 Corinthians 4:7) If He has called you to do it, it will be Him doing it through you.  You cannot do it alone.

So, lift up your eyes to the hills from whence your help comes from, your help comes from the LORD.  Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart.  Do you know what one of the meanings of delight is?  To bend…. Yes, beloved, learn to be pliable and bendable in His hands.  Learn to lean on Jesus!

God Bless You, you are in my prayers
~ Celeste Dewey

Celeste Dewey

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