Beyond the Weekend

October 13 | Fear vs. Faith

October 13, 2014

Text: 1 Samuel 13.1-15

King Saul has problems. . .big ones! He has a massive and well-armed Philistine army preparing to wipe out him and his ragtag band of soldiers. His problems only get more complicated when his soldiers start deserting and hiding in “caves and thickets, among the rocks, and in pits and cisterns” — not really a picture of bravery and courage (1 Samuel 13.6b).

Samuel told Saul to wait for him seven days at Gilgal (1 Samuel 10.8) so Samuel could properly offer sacrifices. But when Saul saw his men running and hiding, he acted out of fear and offered the sacrifices on his own, without Samuel.

While Saul needed to trust God’s plan and promises in the midst of his trials, his fear-based decision-making ultimately ruined him. God had promised Israel if they would obey and follow him, he [the God of all creation] would fight for them. Saul needed only to remember the Israelites’ history to realize God makes it a priority to come through on his promises.

We, too, can be easily paralyzed by the enormity of the conflicts around us. But our response should be grounded in faith, not fear. We can embrace each circumstance with the conviction God’s going to treat us according to his promises and character.

As you welcome God into your day, take a moment to list the circumstances you regularly face that cause you to react with fear. Then take a moment to pray over your list, releasing those fears to God and asking him to help you trust his promises.

Oct-13-14

You Might Also Like