SUNDAY - 13TH MARCH, 2022
MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO
THE REJECTED IMPROVISATION
READ I Samuel 13
I Samuel 13:8-10, KJV
"8 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. 9 And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering. 10 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".
God doesn't use the untested. We have the tested, failed and rejected. Then, we have the tested, passed and trusted. I had said sometimes ago that you shouldn't think disobedience is voluntary. Something prompts it. If you've not being pressed before, you may not know what it means.
In today's passage, Saul took initiative in order that the people's faith might be increased and their arms strengthened. In such strait and distresses of the people, they needed God on the scene: they needed to hear God. What strategy would He give? At least, let God talk even if it will be "don't move".
The warriors were already disheartened looking at such evil that may befall them by the Philistines they've dared. Samuel had promised Saul his appearance at the seventh day but somehow Samuel tarries. That's where Saul got under pressure. Please, when you fix a schedule or an appointment, do well to meet up with it. If there's a shift, do well to communicate earlier. It is not good to have risen someone's expectation without meeting it or doing so early. You make them worry and begin to think of what might have happened to you even when they should have been the object of concern. Worry shift takes place. Some may conclude "as for this Moses, we know not what has happened to him" and then proceed with life until they discover they're outside God's will (Exodus 32:23). That evil also happened because of someone's delay. Inevitably, delay will happen. When it does to you, may you just scale it somehow.
I knew what Saul felt here that moved him to improvise. Somebody could say "God was testing him..." That may not be under emphasised. Only that you'll have pleaded and not badgered Saul very much for having taken that step if you put yourself in his shoe. When the warriors (your very resources) you wants to fight the enemy with begin to leave; the centre can't hold and you seem to be losing your authority and control over your own people yet with an option of what could be done to win them and have them stay, I think the best of mind would opt for that. No one wants to be left alone in moments when there's need for human support. But for Saul, it wasn't a blessing. That's why I said, may your improvisations be ones that will delight God. God may not tell you to take that step when there's no voice or sound from Him but when there is an understanding of what should be done that collides with the acceptable that God wanted or might have instructed, you'll be vindicated. Instead of God's wrath, you'll attract His favour. Just like the children of Issachar, you can understand the time.
I Chronicles 12:32, KJV "And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment".
What became the curse of Saul was that he didn't know the acceptable to do here. He knows what to do but not the acceptable and pleasing.
Samuel delayed - no voice nor sound for those seven days. Saul improvised and as soon as the improvisation ends, Samuel appears. This is where my fear ignites. Why didn't Samuel appear almost at the beginning of the sacrifice? Why immediately after Saul finished and things couldn't be reversed. To me, it's as if it has been appointed for Saul to just be unfortunate. Though he thrusts into another's office which is a trespass like Uzziah did (and is punishable if not anointed for such duties) but I wonder why God couldn't have gone ahead to prevent him from this mistake just by moving Samuel to come on time. We didn't know if it was God that delayed Samuel intentionally. All I pray is that when things are not answering when you needed answers, you'll exercise patience the more. After going the miles, you'll add extra again. You'll keep adding until you fulfill both the requirements you know and do not know. When God's voice delays to appear, may you go to sleep even if the situation is contradictory. May you not violate any known principle or command. When your boss at work isn't showing up and the clients are pressing, may you not act independently without doing his mind. May you not sign a deal that will throw you in jail.
PRAYER: Lord, after doing all, may I learn to put extra on it. When delay is inevitable, may I meet the demands of heaven known and unknown. If it remains a minute to my disgrace, appear and rebuke me. Patience, endurance and longsuffering will be put to work.
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Numbers 15:17-16:40; Mark 15:1-47; Psalm 54:1-7; Proverbs 11:5-6
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