This morning in our early morning Prayer group, as we were praying for one another and for loved ones, I couldn’t help but appreciate how we were each of us needing what only God can provide. And look how He provides through each of us! Sharing our hearts of how God gets our attention through the beauty of His creation and always that attention we notice is personal to us. How could it not be personal? He doesn’t speak to me as He speaks to you. He speaks to you in a language you know and love. After prayers, we talked about Worship and one definition being that Worship happens when we intentionally cherish God and value Him above all else in life. The most amazing blessing from sharing your love of God with others in a group is that we value Him above all else and our hearts expand to include one another. Inclusion. Family. Love.

In 1 Samuel 13, I was surprised to read that Saul, Israel’s first king, was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned over Israel forty-two years. v. 1. Verses lead to chapters which lead to books and I can forget the years lived. I honestly never realized how long Saul was king. God was working in that time.

Time. In prayer after reading this chapter and the devotionals, I realized time is needed. Time is needed for the healing of bodies and minds. All the while that time is passing work is being done. We can’t see that work but our bodies respond to that much needed internal work. There are rhythms of healing and they are accomplished in time.

We are so eager to ask what’s next but wisdom, too, takes time. In our chapter today, Saul chafes in the time it takes for Samuel to return to wait for him to offer sacrifices to God. The Philistines have gathered for battle, Saul and all the troops with him were quaking with fear. v. 7. Saul is king, he’s not God’s anointed priest. It was not his place to do the offering. His place was to wait for God.

What does God look for? “But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.” v. 14. Saul’s time as king will span 42 years even though God has chosen another. It isn’t time yet for that other. Time is needed for that as well.

What’s next for us? I loved this morning from my devotional Hearing God – You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit. John 15:3, 4, 5. We are already clean because of the work God takes the time to do.

What’s next? Each day we can grow in God’s love and care because He is in us and we are in Him. And that love and care takes its own time and is personal. We may not see what He is doing within us but He knows. Some things we can only appreciate with time.

I pray as you go through this day, when your attention is engaged in something beautiful, remember and cherish God who created it just for you. Notice and thank Him. That is our Worship. It’s personal.