FAITH CAPSULE: Compelling force is a possible determinant of how a man takes a stand against confronting challenge.

1 Samuel 13, Psalm 91

The Psalmist made a compelling statement, “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” (Psalm 91:1) It is a strong compelling understanding in the word of God that will cause a man to make bold declaration of protection. Just as the psalmist was able to make a compelling statement, he backed it up with a bold declaration, “I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” (Psalm 91:2)
Compelling force is a possible determinant of how a man takes a stand against confronting challenge. David made a compelling statement and back it up with strong declaration, “I will call upon the, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies.” (Psalm 18:3) Calling to praise God is compelling for him to declare that he shall be saved from his enemies. Whenever a man’s compelling force is positive it will give the boldness and character to be a winner. However, when a man’s compelling force is negative, man is set to fail and fall from grace to grass.

Saul was compelled by seeing negative when challenge was intensified. King Saul was commanded by Samuel to wait for seven days until Samuel arrived to offer the burnt offering before his battle with the Philistines. “Then he waited seven days, according to the time set by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him.  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 13:8-10) Saul made the wrong move because he could not travail in waiting. Samuel came as promised the same day, but not at Saul’s timing. When Samuel asked why King Saul took such a decision, Saul’s response was that, “…when I saw that the people were scattered from me…” (1 Samuel 13:11)
Who are you looking up to? Do you look up to God or the people and situation around you? Saul went further in his testimony and stated, “…I felt compelled, and offered a burnt offering.” Saul succumbed to fear when his people scattered and was compelled to make an unlawful sacrifice. Samuel made it clear that he violated God’s command. Violating God could be termination from God. Samuel made it known to Saul, “…the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever but now your kingdom shall not continue…” (1 Samuel 13:13-14) When fear compels, complication prevails.

Prayer for today: Ask God for the grace to remain focus and not become a vessel of failure in any area of life.