Gospel Reflections #910: Despite following what we think is right

1 Samuel 13:9 "Then Saul commanded, 'Bring the burnt offering and the peace offering,' and he offered the burnt offering."

This is the decisive moment when Saul, Israel's first king, broke God's command and performed the ritual on his own judgment.

At that time, offering sacrifices was the role of the priests (or the prophet Samuel).

However, faced with the threat of the Philistine army and soldiers beginning to desert, and with Samuel not arriving even after the promised seven days had passed, Saul, overcome by panic, overstepped his royal authority and imitated the role of a priest.

Saul prioritized the visible circumstances (the dwindling troops and the advancing enemy) over relying on God. We see his weakness of heart, seeking reassurance by fulfilling the "form" of the ritual rather than "obeying the Lord's command."

We too, when facing our own limitations or crises, often cannot wait or begin to doubt God's promises.

We are tested on whether we can believe God's promises and wait until the very end.

Later, Saul emphasized the "sacrifice (form)," but this suggests that what God truly desires is "obedience to His voice (heart)."

We too sometimes choose to offer ritualistic acts rather than our hearts. 

At such times, Jesus must be continually knocking at the door of our hearts.

We must not fail to hear that sound.

God is the One who never gives up knocking at the door of our hearts until we notice.

AUTHOR'S BIO: This Gospel Reflections page is written by Masae San, who resides in Hiroshima, Japan. Masae is a dedicated student of the Bible with a deep passion for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She shares her daily reflections on Gospel perspectives to reach out to others and spread the message of God's true love through a Christ-centered approach. We are sharing her insights here so that you, too, can experience the joy that comes from knowing and understanding the true Gospel and the love of God through Jesus Christ.