Dont Give In - Daily Devotional July 1st 2009

Daily Bible Reading Plan - 1 Samuel 13, Isaiah 56, Revelation 21-22

Don't Give In (1 Samuel 13:1-14)

In today's culture and economy there are so many pressures that are facing us. As you look around it is as if people are doing whatever they can just to keep their heads up. It's as if the enemy is coming in all directions, attacking people's finances, marriages, family and health. When this happens sometimes the pressures get so great that it causes us to make decisions that are outside of what God truly wants for us. In these times the only advice I can pass on is what I hear God saying, "Don't give into the pressure".

In 1 Samuel 13:1-14 we have a snap shot into the life of Israel and King Saul and we see what happens when we give into the pressure of the enemy. As we look at this we must understand that if we do not give into the pressure, the opposite of what took place here is true. In this passage of Scripture Israel is under attack by the enemy and the enemy is coming in every direction. The people are so afraid that they are running in fear and hiding in caves and under rocks. The pressure is mounting and king Saul is feeling it come on him strong. The Bible says that he is waiting for the servant of the Lord, Samuel to come offer a sacrifice to the Lord. Saul waits for 7 days but the pressure gets so strong that he decides not to wait any longer for Samuel and offers a sacrifice to the Lord himself. This was not acceptable to God as it was Samuel's job to do this. Saul, because he gave into the pressures that were surrounding him made decisions that were outside of the will of God and in so doing forfeited his destiny.

This is such a key lesson for us to learn as we too face such great pressures today. Although at times the pressure gets so great and it feels like God is not there we must wait on Him and not make decisions that forfeit our destiny. This is the plan of the enemy to try and destroy what God has for us. Saul waited 7 days but caved under the pressure and right after he did God showed up. I am reminded of another story in Joshua 6 about another 7 days of waiting but this time the people obeyed and did what God wanted them to do and in so doing were able to walk into their destiny.

The lesson today is simple and clear for us today. No matter how great the pressures of life become, do not give into the pressure, do not make rash or hasty decisions. When we do this we end up walking out of the will of God and we forfeit our destiny. Think about what Samuel said to Saul in our passage today. If he would have just waited God would have established his kingdom forever.

Today as the pressures are mounting greater and greater on you it is not a time to cave it is a time to stand firm in Him and know He has a destiny and a plan for your life. Your 7 days of waiting can either be the beginning of a breakthrough or the end of a breakdown. Wait on Him and experience the 1st one. Your breakthrough is coming, God is on the way, "Don't give into the pressure".

I would love to hear your thoughts.

Tomorrows Bible Reading Plan - 1 Samuel 14, Isaiah 57-58, Matthew 1-2

Dream Big
Ben