In an act of impatience a man tried to beat the traffic by swerving around a lane of cars that had come to a stop. However, the lane he pulled into had just been laid with fresh cement, and his Porsche got stuck. This driver paid a high price for his impatience.

The Scriptures tell of a king who also paid a high price for his impatience. Eager for God to bless the Israelites in their battle against the Philistines, Saul acted impatiently. When Samuel did not arrive at the expected time to offer a sacrifice for God’s favour, Saul became impatient and disobeyed God’s command (1 Sam. 13:8-9,13). Impatience led Saul to think he was above the law and to take on an unauthorised position of priest. He thought he could disobey God without serious consequences. He was wrong.

When Samuel arrived, he told Saul off for his disobedience and said that Saul would lose the kingdom (vv.13-14). Saul’s refusal to wait for the development of God’s plan caused him to act in haste, and in his haste he lost his way (see Prov. 19:2). His impatience was the ultimate display of a lack of faith.

The Lord will guide us as we wait patiently for Him to bring about His will.

Patience means awaiting God’s time, and trusting God’s love.

Author

Marvin Williams

Topics

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