Why we are commanded to wait on the Lord
July 9, 2017
1 Samuel 13:9-13English Standard Version (ESV)
9 So Saul said, “Bring the burnt offering here to me, and the peace offerings.” And he offered the burnt offering. 10 As soon as he had finished offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came. And Saul went out to meet him and greet him. 11 Samuel said, “What have you done?” And Saul said, “When I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines had mustered at Michmash, 12 I said, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the favor of the Lord.’ So I forced myself, and offered the burnt offering.” 13 And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the Lord your God, with which he commanded you. For then the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever.
Waiting on God’s timing (1 Samuel 13:9-13).
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Instead of waiting for Samuel, King Saul usurped the prophet’s authority by making a pre-battle sacrifice to God.
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Though his army won, Saul lost God’s favor as well as the throne.
People who manipulate circumstances and timing expect good results but are often disappointed. No one gets what he really wants by supplying his own need. (i.e. Prodigal son) (Luke 15:11-32)
Doing or achieving things apart from the Lordship of Jesus is not adding to your Spiritual life but detracting and distracting. (Explain)
James 1:17Living Bible (TLB)
17 But whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God, the Creator of all light, and he shines forever without change or shadow.
Lust & Greed Contribute to Spiritual failures.
1 Corinthians 12:3King James Version (KJV)
3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
2 Peter 1:3-4English Standard Version (ESV)
3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to[a] his own glory and excellence,[b] 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.
Anxiety is not Faith Driven
Philippians 4:6-8New King James Version (NKJV)
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Meditate on These Things
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
Waiting on God’s Provision
1 Timothy 6:6-8 – But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world.
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Many call themselves Blessed of God when they materially are increased.
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Many so called blessings out of God’s timing are costly.
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Many Blessings are a distraction from the true blessing of God,
Seek Ye First
Matthew 6: 19 – Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.
23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!
24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Faith Waits For a Sure Answer
James 1:6-8 Living Bible (TLB)
6 But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to tell you, for a doubtful mind will be as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind; 7-8 and every decision you then make will be uncertain, as you turn first this way and then that. If you don’t ask with faith, don’t expect the Lord to give you any solid answer.
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Combat Uncertainty with Faith
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Deny yourself spontaneous Lust
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What Comes from Heaven is of God and by God
Closing:
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Remember that God knows your needs and has promised to meet them when you seek His Kingdom and His Righteousness FIRST.
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He knows what and when you need something and is never late.
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He will withhold no good thing from those who love Him.