What could have been...

“You acted foolishly,” Samuel said. “You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you; if only you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time.” 1 Samuel 13:13

It’s a moment you never want to have. A 13:13 moment.

A 13:13 moment is that moment you realize what you could have had, if only you had ______ (fill in the blank).

What a scary verse this is. Besides the fact that you have a double instance of an unlucky number (13:13), what Samuel is saying to Saul should be a cautionary note to all of us: I never want to say “I could have had the blessing of God, if only I had…”

See, when we think about the consequences of sin or disobeying a specific instruction from God, we usually focus on the negative consequences that happen to us as a result.

…if you sleep around, you could get an STD or get pregnant.

…if you cut a corner at work, you could lose your job.

…if you ignore God’s calling, you could end up in the wrong career.

Those are definitely bad consequences, but there is another side of the equation that we should consider:  If we are unwilling to obey God, we may miss an incredible blessing that God has planned for our lives.

...the ministry you could have had.

...the marriage you could have had.

...the life you could have had.

Last week I challenged you to go home to fast and pray, and seek the Lord as to what He would have for you.  

...what ministry He has for you.  

...who He wants you to reach out to. 

...what He wants you to invest in His kingdom.  

Whatever God is asking of you, believe me, it’s not about what He wants from you. It’s what He wants for you.

And you can have it, if only you will…

Join us Sunday, as we return to our study of 1 Samuel 13.

... till the whole world hears, 

Pastor Clay