🕊️ PRAY HERE DEVOTION 🕊️ God’s Way vs. Yours

Scripture: 1 Samuel 13:13–14

“You have done a foolish thing,” Samuel said. “You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you; if you had, He would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after His own heart and appointed him ruler of His people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.”

Devotion: I’m sure many of you have heard the saying, “Obedience is better than sacrifice.” I wholeheartedly agree; not just in theory, but from personal experience. Things have always turned out better when I followed instructions, whether they came from God or from my parents and elders. The few times I chose to do what I felt instead usually led to unsuccessful results and unnecessary consequences.

The Bible is full of examples that confirm this truth: Adam and Eve, Samson, Jonah; and the list goes on. Today, we’re going to focus on an impatient and disobedient king who lost his kingdom because he chose his way over God’s way.

King Saul was at war with the Philistines, and God gave him very clear instructions: wait at Gilgal for seven days until the prophet Samuel arrived to offer the burnt offerings and seek God’s direction. But Saul grew impatient. He didn’t want to wait. Instead, he made an unauthorized sacrifice; something God specifically told him not to do. That role belonged to Samuel, not Saul.

Now let’s look at today’s scripture with that background in mind. When Samuel arrived and saw the people scattering, he asked Saul, “What have you done?”(verse 11). Saul explained his reasoning, but excuses don’t cancel disobedience. Samuel responded by telling Saul he had acted foolishly, had not obeyed God, and because of that, his kingdom would be taken from him.

Read 1 Samuel chapter 13 in its entirety: it’s enlightening, relatable, and sobering. We’ve all been in situations where waiting felt uncomfortable, where rushing seemed like the better option, only to create a bigger mess. We’ve also all struggled at times with trusting God fully and choosing obedience over control.

Saul was guilty of both impatience and disobedience. As a result, he lost the victory God had promised: not just for himself, but for Israel. Oh ye of little faith.

Don’t rush and throw something together because you don’t want to wait for God’s perfect timing. And do not expect victory, blessings, or good outcomes when you choose to ignore what God has clearly told you to do, or not do. Let Saul’s life remind us that God’s way is always better than ours.

Obedience to God’s Word and instructions is the true cheat code to a life of victory. If you struggle with trusting your own intellect over God’s wisdom, pray and ask Him to help you put your faith in Him above what you think you know.

God bless you.

Prayer: Father God, forgive me for the times I chose my way over Yours. Help me to trust You even when waiting feels uncomfortable and obedience feels hard. Strengthen my faith so that I follow Your instructions fully and without hesitation. Teach me to believe that Your way is always best, and lead me into a life of victory through obedience.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.