“So I forced myself and offered the burnt offering.” 1 Samuel 13:12b
Samuel instructed Saul to wait until he arrived to offer the sacrifice. The Philistine Army had gathered at Michmash with 30,000 chariots, 6,000 horsemen, and people as numerous as sand. Now his army was beginning to scatter. He wanted God’s help and blessing, and needed to offer a burnt offering; so he “forced himself” instead of waiting. This one act brought God’s search for a man “after his own heart”. That man would be David!
But don’t we do the same? We know what God requires, but instead of obeying, do something “religious” instead so that God will still “bless us”. May God help us to walk according to His way and not be fearful of what others may think!