Happy Monday After! ...you know, the Super Bowl. It was an exciting game! I like checking out the commercials, too. But I'm a lot more eager to hear a message from the Creator of the Universe today. It won't be flashy or funny, but it will be True and Life-giving. Let's meet God in 1 Samuel 15 today.
This is a riches to rags story. It's about one man's topple from the very top of the ladder to the pits of guilt, regret and bitterness. Saul has come a long way since he was first told he was to be anointed king. Unfortunately, he's gone the wrong direction. He once had God's favor and blessing, which took him from obscurity to the throne. Now, God is removing him as king and his favor is turning to someone else. You and I want God's favor, so it would be wise to tune in to why this happened to Saul.
As I read the story, I hear God saying that, in my relationship with him, obedience is important. It's crucial that I remember who he is and make sure he stays on the throne of my heart. God loves me unconditionally. My acceptance by him is based on my faith in Jesus and his goodness, not my own. But, like any good parent, God's blessings and his discipline are very much connected with how obedient I am.
"Why did you not obey the LORD? Why did you pounce on the plunder and do evil in the eyes of the LORD?" (v. 19)
I also hear him saying that incomplete obedience is disobedience. Saul fell out of God's favor because he just wasn't much into honoring God with his full obedience. He put his own spin on God's instructions. He did part of what he was told to do, but he just didn't go all the way with it. And when he's confronted by the prophet, Saul is all about justifying himself.
"But I did obey the LORD," Saul said. "I went on the mission the LORD assigned me." (v. 20)
Not quite. He didn't see the sense in everything God had instructed, so he did what people do all the time--he ignored those parts. For all of us who have thought God is okay with us just obeying the parts of his Word we personally agree with, this story is a wake-up call. Incomplete obedience is disobedience. But I thought God doesn't expect perfection! No, but he does demand total submission.
God makes a further point: Worship doesn't make up for disobedience. When Saul was confronted, he protests that he was planning to offer a sacrifice to God. And the prophet Samuel gives this memorable reply, later quoted by Jesus:
Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. (v. 22)
If I was cheating on my wife, I'm pretty sure she wouldn't be impressed if I said, "I love you" and offered her a kiss. Being at church singing praise songs isn't a way to score points with God, much less if my life isn't fully surrendered to him. He wants the worship of my life to harmonize with the praise of my mouth.
Finally, God exposes the heart of the problem: Pride is the source of disobedience. This observation really leaps off the page:
Samuel said, "...you were once small in your own eyes..." (v. 17)
The unassuming guy that once hid among the baggage at his coronation ceremony is now setting up monuments in his own honor (v. 12). And he's too proud to listen to what God wants him to do.
For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. (v. 23)
That's the bottom line, isn't it, God? Pride will get in the way of a relationship with you faster than anything. And pride comes in many forms, some more subtle than others. I know I've been too proud to listen and obey at times. Forgive me for thinking I know better than you what will make life work. I so want your favor on my life. I surrender my life wholly to you. I am willing to obey you completely. By your grace and power, I will do everything that you have taught me to this point. Help me and forgive me when I stumble on the way. Restore me in those moments and get me back on track. You are my King! Amen.
If you think anyone else could benefit from this conversation with God, please share this post with your Facebook friends by clicking the Facebook icon ("f") below. It's quick and easy and could really bless someone you know! Peace.
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