The Danger of Our Own Devices

Just as he finished offering the burnt offering, Samuel arrived. So Saul went out to greet him, and Samuel asked, "hat have you done?" - 1 Samuel 13:10-11

Have you ever grown tired of waiting on God's answer to your need and tried to meet it by your own devices or in your own strength? I have (much to my regret), but I am pretty convinced that I am not alone in the error.

King Saul was guilty of the same mistake (winging it) when he stepped into the role reserved for Samuel at Gilgal. There will always be negative consequences for such independence. For Saul, it cost him a crown. God lifted the mantle of leadership from his shoulders and eventually placed it on David's, and while the results of our own disobedience will probably not be so grave, the danger needs to be appreciated.

In the end, God may just let us experience the ends of our own wisdom apart from His guidance, and that, in itself, is punishment enough.

Beware of reasoning about God's Word, obey it. - Oswald Chambers