Then Samuel said: "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he also has rejected you from being king."
1 Samuel 15:22-23
1 Samuel 15:22-23
Thomas Watson said it this way, "To obey God in some things and not in others shows an unsound heart." God has sent Saul to destroy the Amalekites and Agag, their king. Saul vigorously attacked them as the Lord commanded. The Lord had also directed that no spoils were to be taken. When Samuel arrived, he found the word of the Lord had been disobeyed. Instead of repenting, Saul made excuses and acted as though he wasn't responsible for the sin. Then he offered to do the proper religious acts to make up for it. This was very offensive to Samuel and God.
Samuel explains that God desires to have our relationship with Him based on obedience. God allowed for the Old Testament saints to reconnect with Him through sacrifices as a matter of grace not as the preferred lifestyle. We are always allowed to fall on the grace that brought us into the kingdom, but the best way to live is trusting obedience. Samuel went on to tell us exactly what we were doing when we disobey.
Rebellious disobedience is described as witchcraft because it is an attempt at controlling everything but ourselves. Instead of controlling ourselves we submit to our selfish motives and try to control everything and everyone to make them to submit to us too. Stubbornness is named iniquity and idolatry. When we stubbornly hold to our own agenda in the face of God's word (The Bible) to us, we are worshipping our own self. God expects us to worship Him. His word is still “If we reject His word we will be rejected from the place of ministry we are in.”
Lord, forgive me for the ways I have disobeyed you. I make no justifications. I commit to follow your direction for my life. Save me from rebellion and stubbornness. Heal my heart as I humbly obey You – Jesus you know what is best for me.
Trust and Obey,
Pastor Jason
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