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1 Samuel 13:10-11. "As soon as he had finished offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came ... [and] Samuel said, 'What have you done?'"

 

Saul waited the seven days Samuel had told him to wait, but when Samuel was delayed, Saul took matters into his own hands and offered the sacrifices. (1 Samuel 13:8-9). Because he did this, Samuel said to him "the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel for ever. But now your kingdom will not continue". (1 Samuel 13:13-14). 

 

It's easy to criticize Saul knowing his history and the rest of the story, but I have essentially done this same thing. I have known what God wanted me to do, but then taken matters into my own hands when He didn't deliver right away. It never works out well.

 

Those times of delayed response are tests, God is asking me to abide in Him and trust Him. I am much better at doing this than I used to be, but there are still times I have to fight with myself not to act without Him. When I do wait, He always delivers in a major way, proving once again that I should place all of my trust in Him.