Waiting in the waiting room

Every so often, I find myself in a situation that tests my patience and ability to wait. I consider myself a very patient person but when the acceptable time of waiting exceeds, I discover my patience is very shallow!

In 1 Samuel 13, King Saul finds himself being tested. He had been told by Samuel the prophet to wait for him to arrive, so Samuel could offer the sacrifice at Saul’s coronation. However, Samuel is delayed in coming and the people become restless. Saul decides to offer the sacrifice himself (totally inappropriate!).

There is a very long list of sins and weaknesses that is flushed out of Saul’s heart due to the prolonged delay of Samuel. The first thing that is obvious is King Saul’s insecurity. Saul observed the people becoming restless and feared them abandoning him.

Insecurity is just another form of a self-centered focus. Pride then becomes the next logical sin as Paul did not want to appear weak and not in control. Insecurity and pride are flushed out through the delayed wait, things that may have stayed hidden without this incident.

Saul’s unsurrendered and unsubmitted heart is at the core of a list of many sins that become clear. In the end, it reveals a lack of faith or a quiet trust in God. This occasion costs Saul’s descendants the crown, unfortunately. There is a solution for us as New Testament disciples, it is called Grace!

When we find ourselves “waiting in the waiting room,” we need to remember that the Lord is seeking to sift us so we can see what is really in our hearts (He already knows!). We have an opportunity to repent and embrace Grace!

Grace is given to inspire us to change! Grace is given to draw us closer to the Lord! Grace is given to empower us to wait upon the Lord regardless of how long it takes!

Please join me in inviting the Holy Spirit to empower us to change through Grace! Pastor Don First Assembly of God