Spilling the Beans To Jesus

# 192 - Today's Du-votional comes from: 1Sa 14:33-35, “Then they told Saul, saying, "Look, the people are sinning against the LORD by eating with the blood!" So he said, "You have dealt treacherously; roll a large stone to me this day." 34 And Saul said, "Disperse yourselves among the people, and say to them, 'Bring me here every man's ox and every man's sheep, slaughter them here, and eat; and do not sin against the LORD by eating with the blood.'" So every one of the people brought his ox with him that night, and slaughtered it there. 35 Then Saul built an altar to the LORD. This was the first altar that he built to the LORD. (1 Sam 14:33-35) The Israelites have won a great victory over the Philistines, and to the victor goes the spoil. Unfortunately in their haste to eat (because of Saul's order to fast all day) they ate of the blood of the animals. This was strictly forbidden by God! Saul seeking to rectify the situation orders that a huge stone be rolled to him, for the purpose of properly slaughtering the animals and letting their blood drain out before eating them. And he sends messengers out to tell the people to bring the animals to him for proper slaughter. Then we are told that Saul also erected an altar. These are all good measures. Saul's intentions were good, but one has to wonder, where was his consultation with the priest or Samuel in this matter? Why not call Samuel in and spill the beans to him? Tell him of your rash decision to call a fast and how that led the people to sin grievously by eating the blood of the animals, and then seek his counsel on what to do next. Sometimes we are so like Saul. We make unwise choices that lead to other serious consequences and then we come up with our own ideas about how to rectify the situation. How much better to “spill the beans” to Jesus and then search the Scriptures or seek counsel from mature Christians for instructions as to what to do next. This involves humility and patience. A humility and patience that comes from a heart submissive to the Lord.