MONDAY March 18, 2019
Excuses, Excuses
Saul said, “When I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered together at Michmash, then I said, ‘The Philistines will now come down on me at Gilgal, and I have not made supplication to the Lord.’ Therefore I felt compelled, and offered a burnt offering.”
1 Samuel 13:11-12
When Saul was confronted by Samuel for doing the sacrifice, he was full of excuses. His excuse to Samuel was that he felt forced to do the sacrifices to the Lord because of the circumstances. Multitudes of Philistines had gathered for war, and his men were scattered. Saul was not called to be a priest; he was a king from the tribe of Benjamin. He knew only the Levites were called to be priests, but he justified himself anyway.
I believe with all my heart, Saul’s excuse to Samuel was not true; instead of feeling forced to do the sacrifice, he was motivated by the power to lead––to show off in front of the people. Saul’s actions made a clear statement––I am King––I can do what I want. Saul did not get his counsel from the Lord or wait on God’s perfect timing. Saul willfully disobeyed God and performed the sacrifice, regardless.
The same folly found in Saul’s life can be seen in Christians who get themselves into an area of ministry where they are not called to be. Be careful of that. If God has not called you into a specific ministry, and you place yourself there by force, any service performed for God will become forced labor. Any service given is not exercised from God’s call for ministry or His anointing over your life. You are in the wrong place. It would be best to back away.
In the ministry, you cannot do whatever you want. You have to wait on God’s perfect timing. Always make sure you are serving in the places where God has called and anointed you. This way, you can flow with the Holy Spirit. Otherwise, you will become like Saul––foolish.
He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else.
~Benjamin Franklin~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
