Adding to what God said

Saul waited for seven days, the time period indicated by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and the army began to abandon Saul. So Saul said, “Bring me the burnt offering and the peace offerings.” Then he offered a burnt offering. Just when he had finished offering the burnt offering, Samuel appeared on the scene. Saul went out to meet him and to greet him. But Samuel said, “What have you done?” Saul replied, “When I saw that the army had started to abandon me and that you didn’t come at the appointed time and that the Philistines had assembled at Micmash, I thought, ‘Now the Philistines will come down on me at Gilgal and I have not sought the LORD’s favor.’ So I felt obligated to offer the burnt offering.” (1 Samuel 13:8-12 NET)

God, through the prophet Samuel, told Saul to wait for 7 days. Unfortunately Saul got impatient and started to go on his feelings. The 7th day was not completely over, but Saul decided to act on his own. Doing that went against what God said and Saul paid the price for it, which was the loss of his kingship over Israel. How many times does God tell you to do something, and then you decide to add to it? It has happened to me on a couple of occasions. When I started mountain biking God told me He wanted me to do this because it relaxes me. But then my brain took it further and I thought "I'm enjoying this so much I want to show others." One thing led to another and I started leading rides, work groups, etc. I started getting quite tired and over committed. Thing that God wanted me to do to relax me was now making me very tired. When I went to God about it, He said "I never told you to lead anything on the trails, I only told you to ride them." When God tells us to do something, we, as humans, tend to want to add to what God is saying, usually because we think we know better. Saul's story is a good example to do ONLY what God tells you to do. If more needs to be added to it, He will add it!