Session 18

No more excuses

From 1 Samuel: A 6-Week Devotional

Have you ever said “enough is enough” to someone who kept making excuses? 

Samuel had a moment like that with Saul in Saul’s final days as king of Israel. Saul violated God’s instruction. Instead of obeying God’s commands, Saul chose to do as the people commanded—rejecting God. So, God rejected Saul’s position as king.

Although God rejected Saul as king, he did not reject him as a person. When we reject God’s instruction and go against His will—continuously making excuses—He does not reject who we are, but He removes the responsibilities He has entrusted us with. 

Each person is created with at least one God-given gift—a talent or ability to serve people in a special way that represents Jesus. With these gifts comes the huge responsibility to honor God by using them effectively. 

We each contribute unique resources to the kingdom of God.

God will not hold you accountable for gifts He did not provide. If your gift is writing, He may not have blessed you with a gift of speaking. If He provided you with the skill of carpentry, He may not have provided you with the talent to sing. We each contribute unique resources to the kingdom of God that He expects us to use and not make excuses for. 

Jesus says, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked” (Luke 12:48). Saul was entrusted with the whole nation of Israel, and he ran all out of excuses for disobeying God’s commands. 

Let’s decide to say enough is enough with the excuses and get on board with what God is instructing us to do, using the gifts He has given us. 

The best way to take steps further into God’s will is to take full advantage of the opportunities He lays in front of us.

Reflect:

• What gift has God blessed you with?
• Have you been making excuses for not using your gift?
• What is one way you can use that gift to serve God? 

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