1 Samuel 15 - 12.13.24
Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:17-23
“Samuel said, “Although you were once small in your own eyes, did you not become the head of the tribes of Israel? The Lord anointed you king over Israel. And he sent you on a mission, saying, ‘Go and completely destroy those wicked people, the Amalekites; wage war against them until you have wiped them out.’ Why did you not obey the Lord? Why did you pounce on the plunder and do evil in the eyes of the Lord?” “But I did obey the Lord,” Saul said. “I went on the mission the Lord assigned me. I completely destroyed the Amalekites and brought back Agag their king. The soldiers took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of what was devoted to God, in order to sacrifice them to the Lord your God at Gilgal.” But Samuel replied: “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. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.””
Observation:
Samuel gave Saul instructions from the Lord, but he did not follow them completely. When confronted by Samuel his excuse was he kept the best to sacrifice to the Lord. Samuel pointed out that to obey is better than sacrifice. Saul said he was swayed by the men.
Application:
It is easy to get sidetracked with what we think is honoring to God and others opinions. God wants us to obey Him, not do things we think will honor Him. This causes me to stop and think. God’s hand was mightily upon Saul. He had chosen him. He still had free will and got side tracked. I can easily get off course too.
I need to do whatever it takes to follow what God speaks to me:
First seek His will.
Write it down so I don’t forget.
Listen to the Holy Spirit’s prompting throughout my day.
Stop and think before I act on my own intuition.
Share with others and be accountable.
Prayer:
Lord, thank you that you have a plan and a purpose for me. Please reveal to me what you have for me today. Reveal to me where I have gotten off course and how to correct it. Please show me who to interact with today and the words you would like me to share with them. As I seek you, please give me the bigger picture and a goal to help me stay on course. If there is a time when I need to walk by faith and not by sight, please give me the strength to do so.
When a Samuel comes into my life to speak, may I listen intently without pride. May I connect with those who will hold me accountable, but not listen to those who could lead me astray as Saul did. Thank you for sending your Holy Spirit as my guide and your Word to light my path. May I fulfill all you have in store for me. Amen
- Cindy Howard
