WEDNESDAY April 3, 2019
Caught in Confusion
Then Saul and all the people who were with him assembled, and they went to the battle; and indeed every man’s sword was against his neighbor, and there was very great confusion. Moreover the Hebrews who were with the Philistines before that time, who went up with them into the camp from the surrounding country, they also joined the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan.
1 Samuel 14:20-21
King Saul thought to inquire of the Lord concerning the great confusion throughout the Philistine camp. He asked Ahijah the priest to bring to him the Ark of God, but as he spoke to the priest, the noise of the battle increased. Saul, who loved to take the glory for victorious battles, stopped the priest from inquiring anything from God and asked him to withdraw his hand (Samuel 14:18-19).
Although the battle had been going on for some time, Saul quickly assembled his men; he desired to join in the battle, even though he would arrive late. Maybe Saul sought to take the glory again? Even those who had deserted to the Philistine camp and placed themselves under their enemies’ control saw the battle, and seeing that the battle leaned in their favor, they also decided to come and join Israel’s ranks.
However, when Saul arrived on the battlefield with his men, he saw for himself what was happening––the Philistines were caught in a great confusion. Every man’s sword was against his neighbor! Saul would not get any glory for the battle––God would get the glory.
There are people who will wait before they get involved and join in a battle when the battle is already going on. They want to help, but they are not fully in tune with what the Lord is doing. Sometimes it is better if they stay out of the battle. Why? They can bring even more confusion.
Confusion and impotence are the inevitable results when the wisdom and resources of the world are substituted for the presence and power of the Spirit.
~Samuel Chadwick~
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