Go Vertical

“And Saul built an altar to the Lord; it was the first altar that he built to the Lord.” 1 Samuel 14:35 (ESV)

Saul had been preoccupied with his mission of mobilizing his army against the Philistines. His warriors were weary and faint since they had not been allowed to eat. In desperation, they killed animals and ate them with the blood. When Saul heard about their conduct, he summoned everyone to bring his ox or sheep to where he was and to slaughter the animals there. Saul reminded the people to not sin against the Lord by eating with the blood. At this time, Saul built an altar to the Lord.

• “And Saul inquired of God, ‘Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will you give them into the hand of Israel?’ But he did not answer him that day.” 1 Samuel 14:37 (ESV)

Saul chose to go vertical through worship and through prayer. He was seeking guidance from the Lord and wanted to know if he should pursue the Philistines and if God would give them into his hands. God did not answer him that day.

Have you experienced anything recently that caused you to go vertical through worship and prayer? Have you known desperation at the level of being compelled to seek God and wait upon His directive? Pursue God daily and persistently. Go vertical with your focus and with your energy. Keep your passion for God alive by consistently feeding on His Word and consistently communing with Him in prayer. Your love relationship with the Lord is the most important relationship in your life. Maintain intimacy with God.

What adjustments do you need to make in your life in order to align your life with God’s priorities? What is keeping you from going vertical?

Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 101:  1 Samuel 13-14 )

Pursuing God,

Stephen Trammell
Executive Pastor
Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell