Topic: The Danger Of Haste

Text: 1 Samuel 14:18-46

Key Verse: “No!” the soldiers shouted. “God helped Jonathan win the battle for us. We won’t let you kill him. We swear to the Lord that we won’t let you kill him or even lay a hand on him!” So the army kept Saul from killing Jonathan. – 1 Samuel 14:45 CEV

“More haste less speed” was a phrase my late mum always used; I wondered how it was possible to do both. Many times as l hurried to complete tasks, l had minor accidents, exercised wrong judgment, and suffered financial losses. Making decisions hastily have consequences; Saul was a man given to hasty decisions, the first time he tried to consult the Lord through the priest, he was not patient to hear from God; he just abandoned the priest and rushed into battle.

Hastiness is sometimes the result of overconfidence, lack of discretion, or fear.

At that time, Ahijah was serving as a priest for the army of Israel, and Saul told him, “Come over here! Let’s ask God what we should do.” Just as Saul finished saying this, he could see that the Philistine army camp was getting more and more confused, and he said, “Ahijah, never mind!” – 1 Samuel 14:18-19

Are you hasty in the place of prayer? Does your heart patiently wait on God for direction or assurance on what to do? Sometimes God answers promptly; at other times, you may have to remain in his presence for as long as it takes to receive. Moses waited 40 days; Elijah prayed until his servant saw the sign in the clouds.

We live in unprecedented times, and there is a need for an accurate discernment of the will of God in our daily lives and as we engage in new ventures or relationships.

Therefore thus saith the Lord God: “Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; he that believeth shall not make haste. – Isaiah 28:16

Willingness and stupidity don’t go well together. If you are too eager, you will miss the road. – Proverbs 19:2 CEV

Saul was hasty in speaking; he made the soldiers vow not to eat during the battle; Jonathan did not know of the oath and tasted honey, in his haste to find out who had defaulted, he pledges to kill the offender even if it was his son Jonathan.

I swear by the living Lord that whoever sinned must die, even if it turns out to be my son Jonathan.” No one said a word. – 1 Samuel 14:39 CEV

Are you hasty with your words? Are you quick to make promises, commitments, and vows without asking the opinion of others, especially your spouse?

Are you often put to shame after you have had your sudden outbursts? Repent and ask God for help; Saul almost killed his son, whom God had used to bring great deliverance to Israel.

Relationships are ruined because of wrong hasty judgments; some parents have ruined their relationships with their children because of harsh words spoken hastily.

I said in my haste; all men are liars. – Psalm 116:11

Today, my prayer is that God will grant unto us a patient and quiet spirit and deliver us from the snares of haste in Jesus’ name, amen.

Pastor Ada

Photo by Andy Beales on Unsplash