Theological Commentary: Click Here
Discipleship Focus: Ambition
- Ambition: We all need a goal to which we can strive. When our ambition comes from God, we find fulfillment in our obedience into that for which we have been equipped because our Out is in proper focus. But when our ambition comes from ourselves, we find ourselves chasing after our own dreams and trying to find fulfillment in accomplishments of our own making.
Saul knows the Philistines are gathering against him. He needs to be victorious. After all, that’s why the people wanted a
king! The people want someone to rally
the troops and follow. So Saul feels the
pressure of the situation. He feels the
pressure to succeed.
Saul’s ambition gets ahead of God.
Rather than waiting upon the Lord, Saul offers the sacrifice himself. In his quest for ambition, Saul becomes
impatient. Because Saul wants to be
victorious, he takes matters into his own hands.
Look at the consequences of Saul’s foolishness. Saul’s son will not reign over Israel. The line of kings will go through someone
besides Saul. Saul’s quest for ambition
actually ends up thwarting his long-term ambition. That’s how it often is with God. When we take matters into our own hands, our
efforts often act counter-productively to what God is actually doing. We need to let go of our personal ambition
and instead seek the Lord and His designs for our life.
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