“When I saw that the people were scattered from me and that you did not come within the days appointed…….Therefore I felt compelled and offered a burnt offering.”  1 Samuel 13:11, 12

“Now David was greatly distressed, for the people talked of stoning him…….Then David said to Abiathar the priest: ‘Please bring the ephod to me.  So David inquired of the Lord…”  1 Samuel 30:6,8

It is said: “Patience is a virtue.” and in trying to  give credit to the origin of that exact phrase, there is much debate about where and by whom it was first used.  Nevertheless,   clearly in the Psalms we are told to “wait on the Lord”. (Psalm 27:14)  It can be easier said then done as we see in the two examples in Samuel.

Saul had been king for over a year.  Samuel had specifically told Saul that he was chosen king by God.  God had already given Saul a great victory as king over the Ammonites.  So Saul had ample evidence that God was with him  God had also given Saul, as well as the people of Israel, other resources for success.  The law which stipulated who was to perform such spiritual things as giving sacrifices and a prophet (in this case Samuel) to give them specific instructions.  Yet Saul was in an earthly pickle.  A major army was coming against him and the people of Israel, the dreaded Philistines.  Saul had called out men of Israel to be his army and when they saw the size and weapons of the Philistine Army, we are told they became distressed and started to run away.  Saul feared he was losing control.  He felt that if he lost his men then the Philistines would attack and destroy him.  Being a good leader, Saul figured he needed to act.  Worldly leadership concepts would applaud this.  In his mind, Saul was not completely forsaking God, because he at least offered a sacrifice before going into battle.  Only one problem, God’s edict, His law clearly prescribed who was worthy to give a sacrifice and it was not the king.  Saul knew it and, out of fear, completely disregarded it.

David is in a pickle.  He had been chased by Saul for many months all across the country.  He has been forced to leave the lands of Israel and live with Philistines.  Even then, David had acted with honor and in humble service to the leaders of the Philistines.  Yet they spurned David, they told him they don’t trust him and sent him back to his city; when they decided to do battle with Israel.  Worst than that, when David returns to the city, he finds that another people have attacked, burned the city and carried off all his men’s family as captives as well as their possessions.  David’s men are so angry at him, they are planning to stone him.  Again, David has been told by Samuel that he has been chosen king by God.  God has already given David great military victories and blessings at this point.  David’s men are demanding immediate action.  Who could blame David for acting impulsively and striking out after his enemy?  But David won’t do so.  No, David takes the time to call upon the priest.  Takes time to ask of God and wait upon His answer.

The outcome of these two situations clearly show the consequences of these two men’s behavior.  Saul shows God by his behavior that given circumstances between the demands of people and the demands of God, Saul can not be trusted to rely on the Perfect, Righteous demands of God.  The kingdom is eventually ripped from Saul’s hands and he is killed in battle.  On the other hand, David shows by his behavior that he will resist the demands of the world and first reach out to and then wait upon the Lord God Almighty to answer; which God does swiftly.  God instructs David to pursue his enemy and God will deliver the enemy into his hand.  David then goes forth in pursuit and is victorious, just as God promised.

Dear brothers and sisters there is no doubt we are facing challenges, even crises in the world today.  We are also faced with a world that rewards action over almost everything else.  Don’t just stand there do something; anything!  More and more the world demands action now and tries to swiftly punish those who will not fit into its way of doing things.  However, Jesus teaches us to act differently than the world.  Jesus tells us to first and foremost, always call upon the Name of God.  Jesus reminds us that God is the Omnipotent God of all things whose power can not be overcome.  Jesus asks us to be patient and wait upon God to respond and to act.  Jesus promises us that nothing worldly will separate us from the God who created each of us, knows and loves us by name.  God will answer us.  God will keep us.  The world screams at us that if we wait upon God, it will be too late.  We will be destroyed.  God’s word shows us clearly the consequences of destruction that come by listening and acting like the world, versus the blessings and victory that come when we wait upon and then act in concert with Him.

Our Most Gracious Heavenly Father, we know that You are Creator and All Powerful God.  Yet we also confess and ask forgiveness when, in response to the world, we act first without coming to You.  Pour out Your Spirit upon us, Most Merciful Father, that we would have the patience and strength to resist the temptation to act impulsively on our own and come first into Your Presence with our petition for help.  That we would have the faith that proclaims all victory comes to those who will wait upon You, All Loving Father.  In the Name of Jesus Chris we pray.  Amen