FBCWest 731 | The Consequences of Failing to Wait
Recorded On: 09/27/2026
Bulletin
Hymn # 218 “He Leadeth Me”
SCRIPTURE READING – Psalms 107:1 & 2
Giving of Selves and Our Offerings
OFFERTORY PRAYER
OFFERTORY MUSIC – Pru Hungate
Praise and Worship
“In the House”
“Your Promises”
“Who You Say I Am”
Proclamation of the Word
Message by Pastor Joe
“The Consequences of Failing to Wait”
PRAYER TIME / Time of Reflection
“Way Maker”
Acknowledgements and Announcements
Sermon Notes
1 Samuel 13:1 Note on Saul’s reign
1 Samuel 13:2 Saul drafts his army
1 Samuel 13:3 & 4 Saul’s son defeats a Philistine garrison
1 Samuel 13:5 – 7 Philistines assemble an army and the Hebrews fear hid, and flee
1 Samuel 13:8 – 10 Because of the circumstances, Saul offers the burnt and peace offerings instead of waiting for Samuel as instructed.
1 Samuel 13:11 & 12 Samuel arrives and Saul gives his excuse why he acted rather than waiting for Samuel
1 Samuel 13:13 & 14 Samuel announces Saul is rejected and the Lord will find a man after His own heart
1 Samuel 13:15 – 18 Saul’s army now at 600 and the Philistines raid the land
1 Samuel 13:19 – 23 The Hebrews do not have weapons of war
Psalm 25:5
Scritpures
Transcript of Service
Having faith is easier when the circumstances are calm and everything is as you think it should be. However, what about having faith when there seems to be a death? Do we still rely on God or as we will see as in Saul's case rather than waiting, he decides to take matters into his own hands and doing that, he will suffer consequences not for him but his family as well. Let us see always rely on God regardless of the circumstances. There is expression that you've probably heard and maybe instead yourself. Is this here to ask for, it is easier to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission? Tennessee wants to do what we want to do when we want to do it.
And then think forgiveness will follow and everything will be okay. But unfortunately, it is not always the case that there are consequences when we do our thing rather it should be done. And we are going to see this in the life of Saul. So if you have your Bibles and you should, they turn to 1 Samuel chapter 13. Now the context of this is, while Saul was looking for his father's donkeys, he came anointed as King Samuel gave him some things that were going to be happening immediately thereafter, which would strengthen his understanding that it was God's anointing that he would be king.
And certain of those things were immediately and then he had one at the end that it was going to take about a week. And so that's kind of where we are. And so in the first verse it says, Saul was 30 years old when he began to reign, and he reign for 42 years over Israel. So we are given a kind of a snapshot, the length of reign of Samuel at his somewhat beginning of his reign. He's been in office, if you will, for a little bit.
But we're saying that his reign is ultimately 42 years. Which I think is interesting because of what's going to happen in this passage of Scripture. Because even though he disappoints God, he still continues to be king, which oftentimes when we disappoint God we think everything is okay, but it's not. Now Saul chose for himself 3000 men of Israel, of which 2000 were with Saul in Mishmash and in the hill country of Bethel. While 1000 were with Jonathan Agibia, a Benjamin, but he sent away the rest of the people. So he decided that these are the, the sufficient army that he felt the total 3000. He split them up into two camps, one where his son would be the general, if you will, and then he would be the general of the, of the, of the four. That should be enough.
He sends everybody else away. And Jonathan smoked the garrison of the Philistines that was in Gibia, and the Philistines heard of it, then Saul blew the trumpet throughout the land, saying, let the Hebrews hear. Heard the news that Saul had smitten the garrison of the Philistines, and also that Israel had become odious to the Philistines. The people were summoned to Saul, Agibia.
So Jonathan, apparently on his own, decides that he's going to attack the Philistines and garrison because they shouldn't be there. We don't see any orders done by Saul, but he takes it upon himself because he's the general, and he does so, and he has success. However, the new spreads from Israel are also the new spreads for the Philistines. And the Philistines are going to react to Jonathan's attack. Now, the Philistines assembled to fight with Israel 30,000 chariots. So long. In that day, a chariot was kind of considered like in our day a tank. It was a ominous weapon because it would be fast.
It had a chariot rider who controlled it, and then it often had a minnowar who could. So they were even better than a calvary, if you will. But they had assembled a massive imposing army and 6,000 horsemen.
So their calvary is significant. And a calvary can move quickly, cut off retreats or devastate an army in retreat. And the people, oh, let me go back. I'm going to try to go back. And assembled and the people, which is in the seashore, in abundance. And they came up and camped in Mishmash east of Beth Avin. So as far as the Hebrews are concerned, this is a desperate situation. They have three, they have 3000 sold, 2000 and one camp, 1000 and another.
And there are 30,000 chariots, 6000 horsemen, and you can't count the army. Odds don't look good. The circumstances seem terrible. So now is the time to rely on God. And when the men of Israel saw that they were in a straight for the people who were hard pressed, then the people hid themselves in caves, in thickets and cliffs, in cellars and in pits.
So instead of facing the enemy, they just... Fleeing was a better part of valor. We're just going to get out of here. We're not going to face them. We're going to run away.
So much for standing in the army of God. And also some of the Hebrews crossed the Jordan into the land of God and really asked for Saul. He was still in Gilgown and all the people followed him trembling. So those of his army that were there were afraid. They were shaking in their boots if they had boots, I guess shaking in their sandals. They were afraid and everybody else had just gone. Some of them hide, some of them... Israel into the other land.
Now he being Saul waited seven days according to the point of time set by Samuel. That was the last part of God's word to Saul. You're going to be king. These things are going to happen. And in seven days I'm going to show up. And so Saul as king is saying, here's my situation. I am faced with an overwhelming army.
I have soldiers and everybody else is running away. Saul's reaction should have been, I'm going to wait on the Lord. I'm going to do what he says. He said seven days at the point of time. But Sam of the not come to Gilgown and the people were scattering from him.
So the Exodus keeps continuing because Samuel didn't show up exactly when they thought he should. Now I want you to notice, Samuel didn't say seven at three o'clock in the afternoon. I'll be there. He said seven days. As long as the sun didn't set, he'd be on time. But you notice when you're faced with overwhelming odds, when you are thinking from a fall apart, that's when we tend to say we want to do it ourselves. We try to take over. I joke sometimes in our prayer meeting, there's a song that has this title.
And there's some songs that even use that title as part of their lives. Jesus, take the wheel. My question is, why are you in the driver's seat to begin with? Why is it when the car is creaking off the road and say, Jesus, you drive? You should be in the passage you see and Jesus should be driving. And so we find Saul is wanting to drive the car. Well, then say, Jesus, take the wheel.
So things don't seem like they should be happening instead of being in faith. He decides to take the initiative. So Saul said, bring to me and the peace offerings and he offered the burnt offerings. So he goes, we're supposed to do this to get God's favor. Therefore, I'm going to take over and I'm going to do what Samuel would probably do. And I'm going to handle it because we need God's favor. I'm going to act and not word being fulfilled.
When we are faced with what seems to be devastating circumstances, what we should say is, God, this is your promise. You don't fulfill it. It's your fault.
I'm going to wait. But that's not what we do. That's not what we decide. We got to take control. And that's exactly what Samuel did. I mean, Saul did. Samuel said, what have you done? So Samuel shows up apparently after Saul completes the offering, which you would have meant, Samuel was there in time to do the offering.
Saul sinned because, but Samuel said, what have you done? That the king made the offering. The sin was he didn't have faith in God to for God to do what God said he would do. So Samuel goes, what have you done? Now notice what Saul does is very much like what we do.
And Saul said, because I saw the people were scattering from me and that you did not come within the appointed days. And I said, I did because he was there. Didn't say this sunset.
And you didn't come within the appointed days. And that the Philistines were assembling at Mishmin. Because of all these circumstances, therefore I said, now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgah. And I have not asked the favor of the Lord. So I forced myself and offered the burnt offering.
I didn't want to do it. I forced myself to do it. Notice what Saul was giving excuses. Which is what we do. Instead of saying, God, you're right, I sinned. Well, I did it because of that because it didn't look like you were going to show up. And because of this, because of this circumstance, because of this circumstance, I had to do it.
I had to take the... I had to take the... Thinking that sacrifices were better than obedience. Samuel is going to continue on.
What is the difference between King Saul and King David? Wasn't it King David was sinless? King David racked up a bunch of sins. But when confronted with his sins, David said, I need forgiveness. I need a new heart. Cleanse it, cleanse it.
Saul instead of saying, I'm repenting. He justifies himself. David seeks forgiveness.
Saul sought self-justification. And Samuel said to Saul, you have acted foolishly. Because you did not act in faith.
You have not kept the commandment of the Lord, your God, which he commanded you. For now the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. And here's the consequence. Saul thought that if he acted and took control, that he could write the situation. Instead of God's who says, because you did not trust me, because you did not follow my commandment, the else is going to rule. You would have continued to rule throughout your life.
And then your son and your son's son and your son's son's son would have ruled over Israel. But because you decided to act the way you wanted to act, rather than trusting the Lord, a longer going to be king over Israel. There was a consequence to Saul's action. But now your kingdom shall not endure.
The Lord has sought for himself a man after his own heart. God says, you looked apart, Saul. You were tall. You were handsome.
Your family had a reputation of being valiant warriors. I'm going to find somebody who cares more about God's heart than looks apart. And all too often, we look to people who are spiritual giants who look apart, rather than being ones who have servants' hearts looking to the heart of God, and beating with his heart. So I'm going to look after his own heart, and the Lord has appointed him as ruler over his people. Notice, we're not up to negotiation. God has already got a person in mind. We're not going to wait 10 days, 15 days, 3 days. God knows who he wants now.
He would have kept you if you had followed his commandments, but because you did not, he wants somebody who will have his heart. As you have not kept with the Lord commanded. Notice, he keeps, it solves sin, his lack of faith. His lack of faith causes him to act foolishly and impatiently. Then Samuel rose and went up to be a Benjamin.
And Saul numbered the people who were present with him about 600 men. I'm going to come back to this by once you notice, Saul's army goes from 2000 or 3000 to 600. Was that like a 40 percent loss? But he has 600. I want you to remember that number. There's 600.
Now Saul and his son Jonathan, present with him, were staying and give you a Benjamin while the Philistines camped at Mishmash. So again, there was a 3000 member army now at 600. And the Raiders came from the camp of the Philistines and three company turned towards Hofra to the land of Saul. And another company turned towards Beth Horn, foreign, and another company turned towards the border which overlooks the valley of Zibbil and towards the wilderness. So they have a plan of invasion, pronged attack throughout Israel. And their intent is to conquer Israel.
And Saul's army is 600. To show you how bad things are, not only does they not have the soldiers. Now no blacksmiths could be found in all the land of Israel.
But the Philistines said otherwise the Hebrews will make swords and fear. So apparently what they decided to do in their invasion plan was to take all the blacksmiths so that there are no weapons of war could be made. All Israel went down to the Philistines. Each to sharpen his plowshare is bad, his axe, and his soul.
So they had to pay the enemy to get weapons made out of implements to fight the Philistines. To be like during World War II, the United States saying, hey, Nazi Germany will you give us some tanks? Maybe some guns? They're seeking the enemy's help to fight the enemy.
The charge was two thirds of a shak'el for the plowshares and the marts and the forts and the axes and to fix the hose. So they took profit from making implements of war. It came about on the day of battle that neither sword nor spear was found in the hands of any of the people who were with Saul and Jonathan. But they were found with Saul and his son Jonathan. So the only people who had weapons were the warriors who had weapons which was a 600. And the garrison of the Philistines went out to the path of mission. So they're setting up getting ready to fight Israel.
Three companies of thousands of people and Saul has 600. I keep mentioning 600 men for a reason. During the time of the judges, the Philistines were attacking and God decided to appoint a judge to defeat the Philistines.
And that leader named Gideon called for the Hebrews to come join an army and thousands and tens of thousands showed up. And God said there are too many. Send a bunch of guys home. So a whole bunch of people went home. And God said there's still too many. So made them drink out of water and some people used their hand and others drank it. And he said, and all of that. There were 300.
And he said send the rest of the guys home. So with 300. God delivered Israel from the hands of the Philistines by confusing the army and them killing themselves.
And all the Israel had to do was mop it up. He's giving Saul twice that number. Because if Saul would have understood something, the battle does not belong to you and me or him. The battle is the Lord and the Lord. The Saul should have taken comfort in.
I got twice as many. And I want you to know if you go back a chapter or two. When Samuel. History of Israel. And why they should be trusting God. He uses Gideon as an example. So Gideon should have been in the false mind and the odd mind of the army.
Because Samuel just told them about it. Well, what does that have to do with me? Because of whatever circumstances that you find yourself in. God can be victorious. No matter how overwhelming it may seem.
There are about 50,000 cherries, thousands of kelvin, uncannable numbers of soldiers. The opposition seems to be undefeatable. And yet, if God, not if I'm on God's side, if God is on my side, God by himself is the victim. We should never be impatient with our. If God said it, it will come about. On the seventh day, it may be at 1259.
But it'll be there. Because God said so. And God's word has never failed.
And if it never, ever fails, why would he decide to let it fail with you? Trust him. Psalm 255.
Perfectly. Read me in your truth. Read me. Let me follow you. Be the one that I follow. Read me in your truth and teach me. Teach me I can trust you. Teach me.
Teach me no matter what the circumstances are. You are still in control. For you are my God of my salvation. I know who you are. I am saved because of you. For you, I will wait five minutes.
I'll wait an hour and a half. For you, I will wait all the day. It's not our time. God arrives when God arrives. And as I said earlier, I will say now, I would rather.
And I'm not saying I do this. But I would rather trust God. Ale, they're not trusted. As Shadrach, Meshach and Abendigo said, our God is able to deliver us out of the fire. But even if he does not, still, I will not. Our God is able to handle any situation you're in. But even if he doesn't, our faith should remain in sight.
I don't trust the situation. I trust you and I'll wait for you all the day. Easy to say. Harder to do. But if we trust him, even in little things, trust him in bigger things, and bigger things, and even in overwhelming things, because our God is God. And all the people said. Thank you.