They That Wait on the Lord Shall Renew Their Strength. They That Don't...Well, They Might NOT Fair Nearly As Well
"Those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength"
Isaiah 40:31 (NKJV)
In 1 Samuel 13, Saul summoned the people to join him to fight against the Philistines. The Philistines had assembled for battle against them, and the “men of Israel saw that their situation was critical.” So much so, that many hid, while others fled. Saul, however, remained, but “but all the troops with him were quaking with fear.”
Samuel had told Saul “I will surely come down to you to sacrifice burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, but you must wait seven days until I come to you and tell you what you are to do.”
Saul waited seven days, but Samuel did not come, and Saul’s remaining men began to scatter.
Saul made what he must have thought was the only “logical” decision, given the circumstances.
“’So he said, bring me the burnt offering and the fellowship offerings.’ And Saul offered up the burnt offering. Just as he finished making the offering, Samuel arrived, and Saul went out to greet him.” "What have you done?" asked Samuel. Saul replied, "When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Micmash, I thought, 'Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the LORD's favor.' So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering."
Compelled. . . . He felt compelled. Indeed, from a human standpoint, his circumstances seemed compelling. The problem was that, in the scheme of God’s timing, it wasn’t nearly as compelling as Saul thought. The right to offer sacrifices belonged exclusively to the priests of Israel – not the king. Essentially, Saul got impatient and panicked. His faith faded and was replaced by fear. He justified his actions - and his disobedience - by pointing to his circumstances. However, he had no way of knowing that God’s provision was, literally, around the corner.
“You acted foolishly," Samuel said. "You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people, because you have not kept the LORD's command." Strong words (and consequences) for a guy who thought he was “doing the right thing” by moving forward.
As we look for a pastor, I pray that we won’t grow impatient and act hastily. Ephesians 4:11-13 teaches us that God has given the body “gifted men” including pastors and teachers “to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” I have no doubt that God has that particular man in mind and will provide him to Cool Community Church, if we wait on his timing. None of us knows how long the process of calling a new pastor will take or what may occur along the way. (I do know, however, that we have a number of faithful people who are diligently working on this!)
If it should seem like its taking too long or that things are taking a turn for the worse in our church body during this transition period, let’s not lose faith. Instead, let’s wait patiently on the LORD and encourage those who may become discouraged. Let’s not move forward like Saul, who felt “compelled” by his circumstances when he didn’t know what else to do. As God’s chosen people, let’s feel compelled by his leading, as he gives it, and not simply by what makes sense to us at the time.
~ Bob Bylsma
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