My way or God’s way

In the book of 1 Samuel, Chapter 13, we find the story of Saul, the first king of Israel. He is in Michmash with the army of the Philistines before him, waiting for the prophet Samuel to show up as he had promised. When the men of Israel began to see what they were up against and the man of God was not present, they began to hide themselves in caves, holes, rocks, tombs, cisterns or wherever they could. When Saul saw that the people scattered from him and Samuel was late, he took things into his own hands and offered the burnt offering himself.

In verse 10 we find 10As soon as he had finished offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came. And Saul went out to meet him and greet him. 11Samuel 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, 12I 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.” 13And 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. 14But now your kingdom shall not continue.

There were reasons why Saul was wrong for making the sacrifice. Among them, he was not a priest or a Levite. Thus, he could not offer a burnt offering or peace offering. Also the rights and duties of the kingship prohibited the king from being the religious leader as well as king. But the direct reason Saul’s sacrifice was sinful was that he disobeyed the prophets command:

1Samuel 10: 8And thou shalt go down before me to Gilgal; and, behold, I will come down unto thee, to offer burnt offerings, and to sacrifice sacrifices of peace offerings: seven days shalt thou tarry, till I come unto thee, and show thee what thou shalt do.

We can learn much from Saul’s situation. First, God wants our obedience, for in it we are blessed. Second, a lot of patience may be required. Third, It may not be easy or convenient to obey God’s word, but it is always the best choice for us and those around us. Fourth, there will be negative consequences if we choose our way instead of God’s way.

Doing things God’s way in the matter of salvation and eternity is especially important. In fact nothing is more important. I have had those who have said to me “you do things your way and I’ll do things mine and we will both end up in the same place in the end.” Jesus said in John 14:6 “I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”(NIV)

When it comes to salvation and redemption there is no “my way” or “your way.” There is only God’s way. It is the only sure way because it is not based on what you and I can do but what Christ has already done and made perfect.

If you have been doing things your way, I encourage you to consider doing things God’s way. I can say from experience that your life will be blessed. I can say by faith that your eternity will be sure.

Pastor Eddie Sims is associate pastor at Valley Christian Fellowship