The Consequence of Impatience

Waiting on God to act, to respond to our fervent prayers, is hard. We can know God is faithful, that He keeps His promises, yet find ourselves wondering if God will act. Waiting becomes a test of whether we truly believe God will do what He says he will do.

If you’ve ever found yourself becoming impatient with God, you’re not alone. Many characters in the Bible grew tired of waiting and ignored God’s commands. They took things into their own hands and suffered the consequences.

Saul in the Old Testament is one of those characters. Right at the beginning of his reign as king of Israel, he is tested. Their enemy the Philistines “assembled to fight with Israel, 30,000 chariots and 6,000 horsemen (1 Samuel 13:5).” The Israelites became scared and “hid themselves in caves, in thickets, in cliffs, in cellars, and in pits (6).” Others fled across the Jordan River.

Saul was instructed to wait seven days for the prophet Samuel to come to offer a sacrifice and tell him what to do (1 Samuel 10:8). But Saul sees how the Israelites are scattering in fear before of this powerful enemy. He waits days and Samuel doesn’t show up. This is the moment of truth for Saul, does he wait for God or take things into his own hands?

Ever been in that situation? The devil seeks to devour you. Powerful forces are lined up against you. You know the promises of God: “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).” You know His timing is perfect, but will you trust God or take things into your own hands?”

Unfortunately Saul let fear overtake him. Even though he waited seven days, when Samuel still doesn’t show up he chooses to act on his own. He lets fear overtake him and offers the sacrifice himself. Moments later Samuel shows up and Saul tries to explain why he felt forced to make the sacrifice himself and “seek the favor of God (1 Samuel 10:11-12).”

Not waiting on God, not trusting His promises, can have serious consequences for our life. When we ignore God’s commands we step outside His will for our life. Paul reminded us in Romans 8:2, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will (NIV).” We rely on God and not human ability as the world does.

For Saul, his disobedience meant his reign as king of Israel would not last. Samuel told Saul, “(NASB) 14 But now your kingdom shall not endure. The LORD has sought out for Himself a man after His own heart, and the LORD has appointed him as ruler over His people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you (1 Samuel 13:14, NASB).” God wants people who seek the heart of God and trust in Him.

(NASB) . 8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. – 1 Peter 5:8-9