Then I Thought I Samuel 13:12

12 Then I thought, 'The Philistines will come against me at Gilgal, and I haven't asked for the Lord's approval.' So I forced myself to offer the whole burnt offering."



Saul was about to be attacked by the Philistines. The children of Israel were severely out numbered and Saul's men were leaving their ranks. Saul sent for Samuel to offer a sacrifice to God for His protection. Samuel had not yet arrived. Saul the Bible says, decided to offer the sacrifice to God himself. He told Samuel when he arrived, "Then I thought and I forced myself to offer the sacrifice myself."

Samuel gives Saul a word of judgment that we all need to remember. 13 Samuel said, "You acted foolishly! You haven't obeyed the command of the Lord your God. If you had obeyed him, the Lord would have made your kingdom continue in Israel always, 14 but now your kingdom will not continue. The Lord has looked for the kind of man He wants. He has appointed him to rule his people, because you haven't obeyed his command."

You and I need to learn to be obedient to God. Period. When it comes to the Word of God, we do not need to "think for ourselves" or do what we want to do. We simply need to follow the Lord's guidance and be obedient to His leadership. Some might say, well this is different. "Saul was King and God expected more of him than He does from me." God did expect Saul to listen to Him and be obedient to Him as king. He expects the same of you and me as well!

God will bless those who follow Him. He doesn't bless those who do not follow His leadership and direction. God cannot do what He wants to do for an individual who refuses to hear Him and then heed His instruction. God wants to bless you. He can bless you and make you a blessing as you determine to walk with Him.

Let God have His way in your life.