The Wait

"Then I waited seven days, according to the time set by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and the people were scattered from him. So Saul said, "Bring a burnt offering and peace offerings here to me." And he offered the burnt offering." I Samuel 13:8–9 NKJV

As I lay on my bed to sleep, my mind flashed back to the story of Saul and prophet Samuel. My submission from this passage has always been Saul's disobedience to the prophet's instructions until another explosive lesson dropped into my mind.

Prophet Samuel instructed Saul to wait at Gilgal for seven days. It's expected that, in return, he only did as he was told. However, it was recorded that when Saul saw that the troops were slipping away rapidly, he stopped waiting and asked that they bring the offerings to him.

From the narrative, one might be tempted to say that he did what he did to stop the troops from scattering. Nevertheless, waiting was the most crucial aspect of the instructions given, and there is no reason for him to do otherwise.

Waiting time is not always palatable. Sometimes, one tends to lose courage, get tired, or become weary. Moreover, if the instruction is to wait, all you have to do is wait.

When it appears that everyone is moving and you feel compelled to use your efforts to bring about the change you desire, failure to wait might cost you much more than you were scared of losing while waiting.

When it's taking longer than you think, wait.

When it appears that the time is never going to come, wait.

When you're distracted or frustrated, take a new attitude towards waiting, and it will not be difficult for you.

If Saul had looked for another way to stop the troops from scattering, he would have remained faithful to the command of the Lord, and his kingdom over Israel would have been established forever.

Maybe you're currently in a phase, and the only instruction God has given you concerning that season is to wait. Do not try to do otherwise. Many people will come with different offers and advice. Some might even sound godly; so far, God has spoken to you, and the Word you've received is to wait. Please wait.

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While you wait, keep praying to know what God is saying each time. If it appears that you're not receiving any response, do not be so quick to assume that God’s silence means approval of your plans.

The sooner you realize that waiting is a major part of life, the more you will learn to enjoy where you are while you wait for where you should be. When you finally learn to enjoy waiting, you will realize that waiting is a catalyst that will help you deliver your dream.

Maybe Saul's dream was to be king forever, and the only action he needs to take to achieve that is to simply wait. His inability to wait made him lose a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Pastor Pauline Joyce Meyer said it very nicely: "When we finally learn to respect and appreciate the time of waiting, God goes to work in earnest." "And even though we cannot see what is happening, the things that will make us happy later on are happening right now behind the scenes."

I tell you again: If the instruction is to wait and you're doubly sure that you've heard well, wait patiently. If you've been waiting and you stop waiting, the step you take thereafter might be a miscalculated one. You might even miss out on God’s plan.

The good news, however, is that when you learn to wait and trust in God, you'll find the strength you need during this waiting period.

"But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31 NKJV

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