In 1 Samuel 13 Saul faced a crucial moment that every believer must eventually confront. It is a time of crisis when we're forced to decide whether we'll wait on God by faith, or get impatient and take matters into our own hands.
Saul's pivotal moment came when ominous clouds of war were gathering over Israel. A week earlier Samuel had warned Saul to wait for him before going into battle.
When the day came and Samuel hadn't arrived, Saul's soldiers began to scatter. Worse, the king didn't have God's direction for battle.
What approach did Saul take? Did he stand firm? No, Saul panicked. He allowed himself to be overwhelmed by his circumstances. And he ended up manipulating his way around God's Word (see 1 Samuel 13:11,12).
God is never late. The Lord had set the prophet on a heavenly navigation system, pinpointing his arrival to the very second. Samuel would be there, even if it was one minute before midnight.
God has not changed. He is still concerned with whether his people obey this command: "Obey the voice of the Lord, and [do not] rebel against the commandment of the Lord" (1 Samuel 12:15, paraphrased). It doesn't matter if our lives are spinning out of control, we are to walk in total confidence in the Lord. Even if things look hopeless, we are not to act in fear. Rather, we are to wait patiently on him to deliver us, as his Word promises.
Our God sees all the life-problems pressing in on you. Those who pray and wait on him with calm faith are never in any real danger.”
Taken in part from: http://www.worldchallenge.org/en/devotions/2010/one-minute-before-midnight
Loving and Leading,
Jeff Powell
