1 Samuel 15
Today's Passage: 1 Samuel 15
Commit this to memory: partial obedience is still disobedience.
The Lord gave clear instruction to Saul as to what should be done with the Amalekites and all their possessions: everything must die (v. 3). As a result of their sin and grievances against God, this was the consequence that King Saul was to enforce.
Saul had a different strategy. In fact, when reading the text, Saul’s plan made a ton of logical sense. The decisions he made seemed decent, smart, and profitable to the Israelites. Herein lies the problem: partial obedience is still disobedience. Saul spared the King of Amalek and the best of his flock in order to ‘gain’ from the plundering and provide for his own people. This is NOT what God requested.
God responds with His proverbial heart on His sleeve in verses 22-23 with a basic cry of: “obedience is better than sacrifice! I’d rather have your heart than stuff!” Meaning, God is much more pleased with our full obedience than with a different plan that might even have good motives and intentions. Over our wit, God wants His will to be done. As a result, Saul was rejected.
As you consider the magnitude of this moment, reflect on these questions:
By the grace of God, we can repent and start over (1 John 1:9). Like Jonah, we can recover and obey as we should, knowing that it brings God great glory when His children do exactly what He has required of us.
Written By: Drew Dukes
Commit this to memory: partial obedience is still disobedience.
The Lord gave clear instruction to Saul as to what should be done with the Amalekites and all their possessions: everything must die (v. 3). As a result of their sin and grievances against God, this was the consequence that King Saul was to enforce.
Saul had a different strategy. In fact, when reading the text, Saul’s plan made a ton of logical sense. The decisions he made seemed decent, smart, and profitable to the Israelites. Herein lies the problem: partial obedience is still disobedience. Saul spared the King of Amalek and the best of his flock in order to ‘gain’ from the plundering and provide for his own people. This is NOT what God requested.
God responds with His proverbial heart on His sleeve in verses 22-23 with a basic cry of: “obedience is better than sacrifice! I’d rather have your heart than stuff!” Meaning, God is much more pleased with our full obedience than with a different plan that might even have good motives and intentions. Over our wit, God wants His will to be done. As a result, Saul was rejected.
As you consider the magnitude of this moment, reflect on these questions:
1. Is there an area of my life in which I am only being partially obedient?
2. Have I chosen what seems good to me over what God has commanded of me?
3. How is my spiritual life suffering because of my unwillingness to obey God in all things?
Written By: Drew Dukes
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