Feelings are lovely things that provide some of the most beautiful experiences, but they can get in our way. Feelings can be an excuse to do what we want, instead of what we know we ought. In 1 Sam 13, Saul is leading Israel to war. Imagine you're Saul: You have 3,000 men. The Philistines have an uncountable army, 30,000 chariots and 6,000 horsemen(v.6). You have no weapons(v.22). Frig.
The situation is awful. The men of Israel are terrified and hiding in holes(v.6). Saul was told to wait for Samuel, who would offer sacrifices and ask God what they should do(v.8). Samuel did not show up when Saul expected him. I imagine Saul felt God had let him down.
Sometimes we feel let down by God. Sometimes we need God to show up and we still don't see him. These moments when we feel let down are critical to growing in faith. Saul decided to take matters into his won hands. Saul was unwilling to be out of control, his excuse was that he “felt compelled” (v.12)
Saul would have been rewarded if he had been faithful in spite of his feelings(v.13). His reward went to David, who was faithful to God in a seemingly hopeless situation against a giant(1 Sam 17). Even Jesus had to be faithful in spite of his feelings in Gethsemane(Luke 22:42)
God calls us to be faithful in spite of fear, feelings, or desiring control of our lives. Pray that God increases our faith, and helps us to rely on him instead of on our limited knowledge or our feelings. God is sufficient. His strength is made perfect in our weakness (2 Cor 12:9)
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