9 So he said, “Bring me the burnt offering and the fellowship offerings.” And Saul offered up the burnt offering. 10 Just as he finished making the offering, Samuel arrived, and Saul went out to greet him.
11 “What have you done?” asked Samuel.
Saul replied, “When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Mikmash, 12 I thought, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the Lord’s favor.’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering.”
Saul got impatient and did not wait for a priest. He offered the sacrifice himself. This was against God’s law. It was against Samuel’s specific instructions. Have you ever taken matters into your own hands and disobeyed God to get something done or reach a goal? Saul was doing a good thing, but it was in a wrong way. True spiritual character is revealed under pressure. What is your spiritual character under pressure or when others are treating you unfairly? Take care to be cautious when under pressure. Make sure your methods to attain goals and deal with others are done in a right manner. Goals and the treatment of those around you are important. How you get to a goal or treat others when under pressure is even more important regarding your character.