Scripture:
Has the Lord as great a delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obedience to the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed [is better] than the fat of rams. 1 Samuel 15:22 AMP
The grace to obey! Several times, we are our own enemies when we fail to follow the simple instructions of God's word. We think we know better than God. We call God 'ancient', 'old fashioned' and we say: "God will understand; times have changed". Then we do what we'd already set our minds to do. We follow the trends go with what the world dictates and expects. Invariably, we hit a wall and then we realize God's ways are always better than ours. If only we would stop relying on our little knowledge and logic. Our scripture today is a story we know well. A story about a King who listened to his own voice, other voices and his own reasoning, and did not once, but at least thrice, the very opposite of what God had told him to do. Then he attempted to cover it up with excuses. Do we see ourselves in his character? How often have we failed to fast, or have done something we shouldn't have, and used one excuse or the other to justify our actions? We always have a good reason, an excuse to justify our actions. Is that pleasing to God? In the next verse, Prophet Samuel tells King Saul that disobedience is equivalent to witchcraft! Read it. May we not set ourselves up for God to fight us. May we not operate in the sin of rebellion and witchcraft. May we find the grace to fully follow and obey God's words.
Let's pray: Father, have mercy on me. Forgive all my foolish ways. Give me the grace to obey you fully. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen
