#DailyDevotion God Knows The Intent Of Your Heart
July 28
1 Sam 13:1–18
1Sa 13:10-11 As soon as he had finished offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came. And Saul went out to meet him and greet him. (11) Samuel said, “What have you done?” And Saul said, “When I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines had mustered at Michmash,…13 And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the LORD your God, with which he commanded you. For then the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. (14) But now your kingdom shall not continue. The LORD has sought out a man after his own heart, and the LORD has commanded him to be prince over his people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you.”
Sometimes it seems as if the Lord is a stickler for details. Sometimes he give more grace and mercy than we think he should. But the Lord’s thoughts and ways are higher than our own. Our sinfulness keeps us from understanding his ways.
In today’s account we might think the Lord is being a stickler for details. We might say with our individualistic thinking, “Who cares who lights and offers the sacrifice? All that matters is a proper sacrifice is offered, right?” Well, no. The Lord has reasons for certain people offering certain sacrifices at certain times. The Lord may love you as an individual but you don’t get to do whatever you think you ought to do. But that really isn’t the problem here. The problem here is Saul acted foolishly.
To foolishly is to act out of fear. It may appear Saul was offering a sacrifice to appease the Lord. In fact, in fear, because the men were deserting him left and right, he offered the sacrifice to make it look as if the Lord was with them. He did not offer it up in fear of the Lord but fear of loss of self-esteem. He didn’t believe the Lord would deliver the Philistines into his hands with the few men that weren’t running away. He desired the honor of men than the glory of God. Because of this, Saul would lose his kingdom to his servant David.
So have you acted foolishly? Are you letting fear drive your actions? Are you acting with faith in the Lord’s promises? Do you fear men more than you fear the Lord? Jesus reminds us that our loyalty belongs to him and his Father. Faith in God’s love for us on account of Jesus should rule all our thoughts, speech and actions. Yet, like Saul, many times a day we run around like Chicken Little Christians worrying about the sky falling and acting foolishly instead of turning to the Lord Jesus Christ in faith and believing the Father cares for us. Remember his promise that you are worth more than birds and every hair on your head is counted. He knows what you need before you even open your mouth.
Heavenly Father, help us always to be faithful to your promises so that we may not live our lives in fear, particularly the fear of men, but instead live our lives in your loving care. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.