in the Lord's time-1 Samuel 13:1–14

The people of the Old Testament were a warring people, much like people today. I often wonder why we can't just all stay home and enjoy the society of our family and neighbors. Why must men seek lands and treasures of other people? Why must men seek dominion and power over others?

Here we are two years after King Saul was anointed king. The Philistines, a great enemy of the Israelites at this time, gathered a large army to fight against Israel. Many of King Saul’s men hid and scattered, because they feared the mighty Philistines. Saul called for the prophet, Samuel, to come and supplicate unto the Lord in behalf of the people with burnt offerings 1 Samuel 13:7–8. When Samuel did not come at the appointed time, Saul made the sacrifices himself without the priesthood authority 1 Samuel 13:9.

“Saul prepared the burnt offering himself, forgetting that though he occupied the throne, wore the crown, and bore the scepter, [he had] no right to officiate … in the Priesthood of God; and for this and other instances of his unrighteous presumption he was rejected of God and another was made king in his place” (James E. Talmage, The Articles of Faith, 12th ed. [1924], 185).

Samuel knew that King Saul’s unauthorized sacrifice was not pleasing to God and told Saul that he had lost the kingdom. (See 1 Samuel 13:10–14.)

Possibly, Saul didn't fully understand the magnitude of his sin, but he did know it wasn't right. Saul’s actions shows us that power went to his head and he was no longer “a man after [the Lord’s] own heart” 1 Samuel 13:14. Instead of trusting the prophet and the Lord, he was arrogant, impatient and disobedient. His usurping of the authority to offer sacrifice shows that he began to enjoy an inflated head; he grew in conceit.

What can we learn from Saul? We can remember the Lords ways and time are not ours. To be patient for answer to prayer or heavenly help is difficult especially in this world of instant gratification. We may be tempted to go forward with our agenda in our time, but impatience has consequence as demonstrated by the fact that Saul lost his throne. Instead we need to learn to trust the Lord fully.

Lately, I've grown very healthy after years of a nearly bed ridden state. I prayed and prayed that God would end my suffering and take me home. He answered this prayer in His way. He ended my suffering, but did not take me to his side at this time. Instead He led me to a way to be cured of my weaknesses and showed me a new direction for my life. Like Saul, I got a bit big headed over "my discoveries." Since I believe that nothing is coincidence, I also believe God sent a few very nasty germs my way to compel me to be humble. I now understand that although I did much reading and discovering to learn that there are no incurable diseases, I am not immortal. My body is subject to the frailties of mortality. Also God placed this new information in my path for me to discover. This has been a hard lesson while enduring sleepless nights, high fevers, severe body aches, racking cough, and suffocating, choking, disgusting by products of pneumonia.

Now the task is to enjoy my good health and other blessings, share my good news, and at the same time give the glory to God for showing me this path.