Mission Complete?

There is nothing quite like the feeling of seeing one’s task complete. However, as I read passages of scripture from I Samuel chapter 15, I found myself wondering how many times have I, have you, have we called a mission complete prematurely.

  Saul was given specific instructions on how to complete his God-given mission.

Now go and completely destroy the entire Amalekite nation-men, women, children, babies, cattle, sheep, goats, camels, and donkeys. I Samuel 15:3

And he got busy doing the assignment.

vs. 4a So Saul mobilized his army at Telaim. vs 7-9 Then Saul slaughtered the Amalekites from Havilah all the way to Shur,east of Egypt. He captured Agag, the Amalekite king, but completely destroyed everyone else. Saul and his men spared Agag’s life and kept the best of the sheep and goats, the cattle, the fat claves, and the lambs-everything, in fact, that appealed to them. They destroyed only what was worthless or of poor quality.

Saul and the people were pleased with his work but God was not.

vs. 20 But I did obey the Lord, Saul insisted. I carried out the mission he gave me. I brought back King Agag, but I destroyed everyone else. Then my troops brought in the best of the sheep, goats, cattle, and plunder to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal.

Could there be some places in our lives that we self-righteously assume we have completed the assignment God gave us but if we stop to examine the original instructions, we would find that we veered off  course?

It doesn’t matter how many people are singing our praise because we look successful on the outside. If we fail to obey God, we run the same risk of displacement like Saul.

Lord forgive me for all the times I assume my way of doing things was better. Or I gave into fear and simply didn’t make even the first step toward completing the assignment you had given unto me. Lord give me a willing and obedient spirit. Not just willing to do your work but willing to do it your way Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.