"To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams." 1 Samuel 16:22
I've read this verse numerous times over the years and it's always made sense to me... the show of sacrificing something for the sake of God's glory means nothing if, in my very heart of hearts I'm not living a life of obedience to Him. Today more of the passage spoke to me.
..."Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has rejected you..." (vs.23)
Saul's response follows: "I have sinned. I violated the Lord's command and your instructions, I was afraid of the people so I gave in to them."
And there it is! Saul was more concerned about how the people perceived him than he was concerned about his standing before God; more willing to do what kept the people pleased with him than to act in obedience to the living God and risk the backlash of unhappy people. He wanted to make a big show of sacrificing the best of the livestock they had plundered from the Amalekites rather than simply obeying God's specific instructions that they take NO plunder and ALL should be destroyed.
I still find it far too easy to read about God's judgment, his wrath, his incredible love and sacrifice that so deserves my obedience and still bow to the part of my heart that gets caught up in what people will think of me. Blech!
Jesus, would you please continue to shape my heart to fear You alone, to obey You alone and to love You alone above anyone or anything else in this life! You ALONE are worthy!
No comments:
Post a Comment