FAITH CAPSULE: The ability to be stable in looking up to God in times of instability will establish one in power.

1Samuel 13:1-23

It is written, “Then the Philistines gathered together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the seashore in multitude. And they came up and encamped in Michmash, to the east of Beth Aven. When the men of Israel saw that they were in danger (for the people were distressed), then the people hid in caves, in thickets, in rocks, in holes, and in pits. And some of the Hebrews crossed over the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead…” (1 Samuel 13:5-7) The fear of the Philistines took over the Israelites and they scattered.
King Saul got emotion in his reaction to the challenges of the Philistines. The bible recorded, “So Saul said, “Bring a burnt offering and peace offerings here to me.” And he offered the burnt offering. Now it happened, as soon as he had finished presenting the burnt offering, that Samuel came…” (1 Samuel 13:9-10) King Saul was supposed to wait for Samuel for the burnt offering (which could only be performed by Samuel and not by King Saul). King Saul knew that he should never present the burnt offering, but went ahead and presented it anyway. Then Samuel showed up and reacted to Saul’s wrong emotion, “And Samuel said, ‘What have you done? Saul said, ‘When I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered together at Michmash.’”(1Samuel 13:11) Saul allowed emotion to override what God commanded of him. As one anointed of God for an assignment, you must never let your feelings or emotions override God’s commandment, or you will not be established. Samuel made it clear to Saul that God would have established his kingdom over Israel forever, but his emotions caused him to be disobedient and thus, removed him from becoming established. Emotions can be dangerous if they are allowed to override the word of God. The ability to be stable in looking up to God in times of instability will establish one in power. Isaiah 59:1 states, “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear.” Whatever man beholds will hold man up or bring man down. We are to constantly behold the mighty hand of God which is strong enough to uphold us. Saul could not behold the hand of God but the move of men that surrounded him. The people scattered and he was compelled to make a rash decision. Wrong emotion replaced Saul from God’s plan for his life as a result he could not be established.
 
Prayer for today:Ask for the grace to keep you focus on God in every confronting situation.