The Excuse

Great People Don't Throw Pity Parties -  Day Four

                           The Excuse

       "My grace is all you need, for my power is greatest when you are weak."

II Corinthians 12:9

        Something bothered  King Saul. He  won the battle--but something really 

         bothered him. In fact he was beside himself.

        The prophet Samuel had told him, “Wait seven days, until I arrive, then we’ll sacrifice, to the Lord.”

           Easy for you to say, Samuel.

“ But...where on earth are you? What am I going to do? I’m looking foolish in

front of my army. Another battle is in the making and my men are nervous and 

splitting the scene.I’ve got to take action…Samuel, I don’t care what 

God told me to do. I’m about ready to lose everything... especially my

reputation! Wait on God? Obey such a foolish command? Well, I’m the one

here. I’m the one caught in a hard place. No one understands what I’m up against.”

So... Saul took matters into his own hands and sacrificed to the Lord, a forbidden act. Almost immediately Samuel showed up—angry!

·         “What have you done?

·         Why didn’t you wait?

·         Why didn’t you obey?

·         You have been foolish.

·         God isn’t pleased with you.”  

“Aw, come on, Samuel. What was I to do? People were leaving and you didn‘t come. The enemy was gathering force. Poor me. I had no choice. This wasn’t my fault. Why don’t you understand? What was I to do?”

And King Saul let out a long sigh. It just wasn’t fair. God and Samuel were

not being reasonable. They were asking too much. And he hung his head.

People were just too cruel. It wasn’t right—wasn’t fair!

Great people don’t throw pity parties. A king whose kingdom was destined

for greatness lost everything.

He didn’t obey.

           He didn’t change his heart.

                               He threw a party.

                                                  All was lost.