Be Patient
Patience is a skill that modern people have lost. However, this problem is not modern when we look at scripture. In 1 Samuel 13, we see King Saul fall victim to this problem. Saul and Jonathan set out against the Philistine army. They were able to strike a garrison of the Philistines. Still, the Philistines responded by bringing in 30,000 chariots, 6,000 horsemen, and so many soldiers they were like sand on a beach (1 Sam. 13:5). Saul had chosen to take to battle 3,000 men to battle. Looking in, the odds were not in Saul's favor. When the Philistines were at his door, Saul waited for Samuel to come and present the offering to the LORD. Saul waited until the time they agreed on. However, when Samuel did not arrive immediately, Saul took it upon himself to go ahead with the offerings. Saul argued that he did what he did because Samuel was not there on time. He was worried about the people and the armies of the Philistines there(1 Sam. 13:11). Because he was working on "Saul Time" and not working on "God time," he took it upon himself to complete an action that would cost him his entire kingdom. Sometimes, we fall into the trap of running on our time. We have our schedules, our meetings, and our expectations. Instead of waiting for Samuel and God's timing of events, Saul acted. Sometimes, we are guilty that instead of waiting on God to provide what we need and work out our situations, we get impatient and take it upon ourselves to do what we think is best. It may be that God is working to provide what we need, like Saul, and we make a mess of things because we do not wait on Him. Psalm 33:18-22 shows how the writer viewed God's plan and timing. "18 Behold, the eye of Yahweh is on those who fear Him, On those who wait for His lovingkindness, 19 To deliver their soul from death And to keep them alive in famine. 20 Our soul is patient for Yahweh; He is our help and our shield. 21 For our heart is glad in Him, Because we trust in His holy name.22 Let Your lovingkindness, O Yahweh, be upon us, As we wait for You."
Challenge
If you are worried about God's timing, read Psalm 33 this week. Think about situations you are concerned about and see how the Psalmist views God's timing.