It has been too easy for some people to downplay the impact of Scripture and the principles it reveals, especially those found in the Old Testament. God’s principles and truths remain unchanged in both covenants. In an age where we can too easily dismiss hard truths out of hand, that dismissal can lead us down the wrong path, following our assumptions, and then we may wonder why our lives fall apart.

It happened with Saul, who assumed he could offer sacrifices to God for the people, something Saul was not allowed to perform. Offering sacrifices was only allowed for Levitical priests. The story of Saul’s failure happened when the Philistine army was massed, ready to attack Saul and his army.

“The Philistines mustered a mighty army of 3,000 chariots, 6,000 charioteers, and as many warriors as the grains of sand on the seashore!” (I Samuel 13:5). As a result of seeing the massive Philistine army, the Israelites were gripped with fear and ran away, hiding in caves and caverns.

Saul felt he was losing control of his army. He waited for seven days for Samuel to arrive, as the fear of his army continued to deepen. However, Samuel still didn’t come as Saul had expected. What was happening in the waiting was that Saul’s leadership was being tested..

Saul realized the confidence of his troops was rapidly slipping away. So he demanded, “Bring me the burnt offering and the peace offerings!” So, Saul sacrificed the burnt offering himself” (13: 7-9). In the seven days of waiting, and with the growing fear that he was losing control of his army, Saul became impatient and did what he should not have done.

“Just as Saul was finishing with the burnt offering, Samuel arrived. Saul went out to meet and welcome him, but Samuel said, ‘What is this you have done?'” (13:10-11).

Saul replied, “I saw my men scattering from me, and you didn’t arrive when you said you would, and the Philistines are at Micmash ready for battle. So I said, ‘The Philistines are ready to march against us at Gilgal, and I haven’t even asked for the Lord’s help!’ So, I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering myself before you came.'” (vs. 11-12).

“How foolish!” Samuel exclaimed. ‘You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you. Had you kept it, the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom must end, for the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart. The Lord has already appointed him to be the leader of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command” (vs. 13-14).

The assumptions we make always have a source. For Saul, it was his impatience and the fear of losing control of his army. Whenever we make a choice based on impatience and the fear of losing control, it will motivate us to do things we would never consider if we were walking in close fellowship with the Lord. Those who follow the Lord can never allow fear or a loss of control to influence their decision-making process. That principle remains true today, even in this New Covenant.