He waited seven days, the time appointed by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and the people were scattering from him. 9 So Saul said, “Bring the burnt offering here to me, and the peace offerings.” And he offered the burnt offering.
I am sure you can think of a poor decision that affected each day, possibly for the rest of your life. It may have been a foolish teenage prank that cost you a scholarship or a moment of weakness that destroyed a relationship. Israel’s new king, Saul, made such an error in judgment. He started out great, obeying the command to meet Samuel in Gilgal, thus saving him and the army from the hands of the Philistines. The second command was to wait. This he chose to disobey and conduct unauthorized offerings. As children, we remember the response of Samuel in later verses as heard from our parents. “What have you done?” In our case, it may have been magic marker on the wall. In Saul’s case, it was an affront to God that would cost him his throne.
So many of our leaders today are falling victim to their poor choices and terrible judgments. Politicians abusing power to assault women. Coaches making foolish choices in their free time. Pastors believing their congregants’ adulation and falling into sin. There is a common symptom of all these sins, including Saul’s. They thought they were the most important person in their lives instead of submitting to God as all important. Their sense of self-importance was their downfall. You are loved so much that Jesus died for you and your sins. Do not let it go to your head. You still need him. Jesus went to the cross for you…
What have you done?
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church