“But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I
might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord
Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24
King Saul was one of the examples of not finishing well. A careful look into his life will
reveal some important reasons why a person, even someone that started well,
may end up finishing badly.
“Then he waited seven days, according to the time set by Samuel. But Samuel did not
come to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him. So Saul said, “Bring a burnt
offering and peace offerings here to me.” And he offered the burnt offering. Now it
happened, as soon as he had finished presenting the burnt offering, that Samuel came;
and Saul went out to meet him, that he might greet him. And Samuel said, “What have
you done?” Saul said, “When I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that you
did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered together at
Michmash, then I said, ‘The Philistines will now come down on me at Gilgal, and I have
not made supplication to the LORD.’ Therefore I felt compelled, and offered a burnt
offering.” And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the
commandment of the LORD your God, which He commanded you. For now the LORD
would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall
not continue. The LORD has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the LORD
has commanded him to be commander over His people, because you have not kept what
the LORD commanded you.” 1Samuel 13:8-14
This scripture reveals the beginning of King Saul’s downfall. Pressure forced him to
disobey the instructions of the Lord. Pressure exposed his insecurity and lack of trust in
God. Pressures are common to all of us. If you are going to run your race well and finish
well you must determine in your heart that pressures will press you to God and His word
and not away from him. Never make decisions out of panic but in confident trust in God
and His word.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
God will not announce you publicly until you have worn victories privately.