Earlier this month I wrote about "Partial Obedience", so I debated focusing on that theme again today, but often times we need a "sacred echo" of a message that may have initially stirred our hearts yet resulted in no actual response. Sadly, that's often how we can walk away from God's Word. We are diligent to read it daily. We "Amen" truth. We nod in agreement, recognizing the value, but the application is left undone. It's like what can happen between the sanctuary and foyer on any given Sunday.
Saul and his men were given very clear instructions. God, through Samuel instructed Saul, "Now go and completely destroy the entire Amalekite nation." Saul immediately mobilized his army, went to war, but instead of following God's command, they captured the king, sparing his life, and kept anything they felt was worthwhile that "appealed to them."
In the story that unfolds, Samuel comes to question Saul regarding his actions. Saul attempts to justify his sin by excusing his disobedience. He goes as far as to say, "But I did obey the LORD, I carried out the mission He gave me." He further mentions that anything his troops kept was only for the purpose of sacrificing to God. Somehow, we think spiritualizing our disobedience makes it acceptable.
Samuel replies with a very familiar passage of scripture. "What is more pleasing to the LORD; your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to His voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams. Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshipping idols. So because you have rejected the command of the LORD, He has rejected you as king." (1 Samuel 15:22-23)
Why do we belittle obedience? Continually through scripture we see the blessings or curses that result from following or not following the Lord. We tend to obey when what God is asking of us is in line with what we want to do, but when there's a discrepancy, we convince ourselves, as did Eve after speaking to the serpent, "Did God really say? Surely He didn't mean everything."
Obedience is the pathway to seeing and experiencing God. Disobedience says we know better than God. We view His commands as suggestions and instead of walking in submission we make selfish decisions that fulfill our desires.
You may recall earlier this month when I addressed this topic I shared with you that I was still struggling with obeying the Lord completely in an area I knew God had specifically identified. After reading these chapters, I knew God was speaking again to me. "Why are you disobeying Me? Why are you saving your 'Agag'?" I immediately found a garbage bag and removed the last of the DVD television series I knew the Lord had spoken to my heart about previously. Although not viewing them, I was leaving a temptation that could be avoided if I only completely obeyed.
We think we're making an acceptable compromise when we choose to go partway, but there is no mutual agreement on God's side. What has God asked you to do that you still haven't done? Some of God's commands are difficult, frightening and costly, but all true obedience will flow from the strength He supplies. And the result? "Yes, joyful are those who live like this! Joyful indeed are those whose God is the LORD." (Ps 144:15)
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