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I Samuel “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….
Saul waited for seven days for Samuel to show up. He was promised that on the 7th day, Samuel would come to Gilgal. Six days came and went on the 7th day when Samuel was to arrive, Saul looked around, and Samuel was nowhere to be found. What Saul did next was what I think many of us would do. He took things into his own hands, he rationalized. He said, ‘well since Samuel is not here, I am going to have to take action.’ He forgot about the promise that on the 7th day Samuel was going to be there. He forgot about all the other times God came through on His word, and Saul took manners into his own hands.
Saul was given a promise, but when it did not appear when he thought it was supposed he acted on his own will. We see that in the Bible many times. Sarah and Abraham were given a promise that they would have a son. God told them this many times. But as year after year passed, and Sarah and Abraham grew in age, when it did not look like the promise would be fulfilled, Sarah and Abraham rationalized and determined in their heart, that the son God was talking about was supposed to come not through Sarah, but through her handmaid. They could not see the promise, so they took things into their own hands.
You see that as well with Rebecca and Isaac. When she gave birth to twins Esau and Jacob, God told her that the elder would serve the younger. But when her husband lay on his deathbed, and when he sought out Esau to bless him, Rebecca took things into her own hands. She rationalized that the only way the promise was to be fulfilled was if she made it happen. So she convinced her son, Jacob to deceive his father.
Three examples of people receiving a promise, but when fulfillment of the promise looked bleak, they rationalized and did things on their own. And there were huge consequences for doing this. Saul lost his kingdom. Ishmael was born to Abraham and Hagaar, and thousands of years later there is still strife between descendants of Isaac and descendants of Ishmael. And Jacob spent many years estranged from his family because of his mother’s deceit.
The question I ask is what do we do on the 7th day when God is nowhere to be found? What do we do when the promise we felt we received from God does not appear to be coming to pass?
Sometimes answers to promises are delayed. If you look at the story of Daniel you can see this clearly. The Bible tells us that for three weeks Daniel prayed and fasted. On the 24th day, the angel of the Lord came to him and informed him that when Daniel first mentioned his request, God heard, but there was a spiritual warfare going on which prevented the answer from reaching Daniel. For 21 days, there was a war in the spiritual realm that kept the answer from Daniel. What is awesome though is Daniel never stopped praying. He never gave up. He never took things into his own hands. He waited on God.
The story of Saul continues. The Bible tells us that after he took things into his own hand, Samuel appeared. He was on his way. Maybe there was traffic, maybe an ox fell on the side of the road so he was unable to get to Saul on time. Maybe he overslept and so he got a late start. (I’m just kidding) But either way he was on his way to Gilgal as he promised, but before he could reach the destination, Saul had already took things into his own hand. If Saul could have only waited two hours longer, or one day more, etc., he would not have lost his kingdom.
This lesson is so applicable to each of us. I think the preaching of Bro. Danny Hood was so awesome. He said ‘you know the promise, now you just have to stick to the plan.’ If God gave you a promise, even if it appears that the answer is delayed, know that God is always on time.
I will end with the story of David, one of my favorite Bible people. The Bible tells us many times that before taking action, David inquired of the Lord. He went to the Lord in prayer to see what he was supposed to do. He was given a promise as well. He was told he would be the next king. But when that promise was not fulfilled right away, he always inquired of the Lord.
Sometimes the Lord told David to take action. Other times, the Lord told him to do nothing. This is such an awesome lesson for each and every one of us. If it does not appear that God is coming on the ‘7th day’ so to speak, inquire of the Lord. Ask Him what He wants you to do. If He tells you to take action, then let no fear stop you. But if He tells you to wait, even if you want that promise incredibly badly, wait on the Lord.
Saul’s kingdom was snatched from him. Sarah and Abraham had to deal with ‘Ishmael,’ Rebecca was estranged from her son for many years. They all took things into their own hands, and did not inquire of the Lord. Yet David was given the kingdom. He waited on the Lord and his promise was fulfilled.
I will end by saying that God is coming. The promise is on its way. Maybe it is delayed. Maybe you thought it would come yesterday. But know that it is right around the corner. There is a reason for the delay. And God is still in control. Don’t take things into your own hands; but inquire of the Lord.