1 Samuel chapter 14 verse 36 (NIV)
Saul said, “Let us go down and pursue the Philistines by night and plunder them till dawn, and let us not leave one of them alive.”“Do whatever seems best to you,” they replied. But the priest said, “Let us inquire of God here.”
We saw in yesterday’s verses an example of Saul’s weakness and how it led him into sin. But here we see that had learned nothing from the previous incident. Sadly, this was the beginning of the end for him.
What struck me most was the response of his soldiers to his order. “Do whatever seems best to you.” That phrase is mentioned more than once in this chapter. Surely here is the root of Saul’s problem, and indeed historically, for the people of Israel. The priest had to remind Saul, “Let us enquire of God here.”
But Saul isn’t alone in this. How many times have we ourselves acted in a way which seems best to us, without first enquiring of the LORD?
We know that God’s ways are higher than ours, and His plans and purposes for us are often so different to what we would choose or plan for ourselves, so we should know, as followers of Jesus, that the last thing we should do is just what seems best to us.
Let’s not follow Saul’s example, but that of Jesus who said, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” (Luke Chapter 22 verse 42)
Dear Lord,
I confess that what I think is best is often not the same as that which You know to be best for me. So help me always to enquire of You for guidance, and also to act on it. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.