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Prepare Your Heart

To the best of your ability, get rid of all distractions. Take a few minutes to breathe deeply and quiet yourself in the Lord’s presence. Then, ask the Lord to speak to you in this time. Let Him know that you will listen and make whatever adjustments He will reveal to you.

Read God’s Word

1 Samuel 14:15-15:35
Luke 19:1-27

A Verse for Today

Slowly and reflectively read the following verse(s) and listen to what God will say to you through His written Word. Consider writing down any insights He reveals to you.

1 Samuel 15:22-23 (CSB): “Then Samuel said: ‘Does the LORD take pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? Look: to obey is better than sacrifice, to pay attention is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and defiance is like wickedness and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you as king.'”

Reflecting on God’s Word

As 1 Samuel 15 begins, we read that the Lord gave the prophet Samuel a message for King Saul. Israel was to attack the Amalekites and wipe them out. No one was to be spared. If this command was given by a mere mortal, it would be horrifically immoral. But since it came from the God who gives and takes life, Saul was merely to carry out what God willed.

As we continue reading the chapter, we quickly realize that Saul and his troops didn’t completely obey the Lord’s command. They kept King Agag and the best of the animals alive.

Then, God came to Samuel and expressed “regret” that He had made Saul king. After a night of sorrow and anger, Samuel went looking for Saul. He had a message for him.

While Samuel said other things, the most powerful thing he told Saul are the words I have chosen for today. You can re-read them above; there is much to glean from them.

First, knowing that Saul was disobedient to the Lord’s clear command, we realize that Samuel didn’t use the word “disobedient” to describe Saul’s offense. He used the words “rebellion,” “defiance,” and “rejected the word of the Lord.”

When we disobey the clear Word of the Lord in Scripture, we may call it disobedience, but God calls it other things. He sees our disobedience as a rebellion against Him. He sees our disobedience as boldfaced defiance. And He sees our actions as an open, arrogant rejection of His Word.

Second, notice what God compares “disobedience” to. He said, “rebellion is like the sin of divination, and defiance is like wickedness and idolatry.” You and I might say that we would NEVER engage in the sin of divination/witchcraft, but when we disobey the Lord, it’s just as bad. We might say we would NEVER bow down to an idol, but when we disobey the Lord, it’s just as offensive to Him.

Third, when we have engaged in disobedience and have not yet made it right, our worship cannot be pleasing to God. He is much more interested in an obedient heart than our acts of worship. “Then Samuel said: ‘Does the LORD take pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? Look: to obey is better than sacrifice, to pay attention is better than the fat of rams.'” So, the next time you knowingly disobey the Lord and have not yet made it right but are in a church worship service, realize that God isn’t pleased with anything you are saying or doing. Not even the least bit.

Let’s realize just how serious it is to disobey the Lord. Let’s allow God’s Holy Spirit to convict us when we stray. Let’s love the way of holiness and love our God so much that we quickly repent and get back on the road of obedience to Him.

Because disobedience isn’t a small thing in God’s eyes. You might as well be engaged in demonic witchcraft.

Spend Time in Prayer

  • Ask God to help you see if you tolerate disobedience to His Word in your life (in what you believe, how you behave, your motives, attitudes, etc.)
  • Repent (confess and turn from, never to do again) anything that comes to mind.
  • Ask God to help you see your present and future disobedience as rebellion and defiance.
  • Ask God’s Holy Spirit to help you “mortify the deeds of the flesh” and be much more intentional about holiness and obedience.

Going Deeper

If you want to dig a little deeper into 1 Samuel 15:22-23, consider reading the following GotQuestions article:

“Why is obedience better than sacrifice?”

Sharing

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Matt Ellis is the pastor of First Baptist Church in Polk City, Florida (fbcpolkcity.com)