When Saul, the first king of Israel, was given an assignment by the Lord he did not do exactly as he was commanded. Then he thought if he gave a big sacrifice that would pacify the Lord for his disobedience.
So the prophet Samuel came to Saul about his half hearted commitment. What Samuel said becomes a wonderful example of what God desires from men and women today. Even when King Saul was making excuses for what he did, we read about God's view.
1 Samuel 15:22-23, "But Samuel replied: 'Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of 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.'"
God does not delight in offerings and sacrifices, be that the burnt offerings of the Old Testament or the things that men and women today would give to appease God. Rather God is after obedience because obedience shows lordship. Samuel says that disobedience, or as he puts it, rebellion, is like divination or magic arts. To conjure up something that is not from God. To seek out your own will instead of the will of God. Jesus addressed this type of rebellion.
Luke 6:46, "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord' and do not do what I say?"
It's been said that Jesus is either Lord of all or he is not Lord at all. He said, don't call me Lord unless you obey me. Then he gives a great example of what obedience looks like, to build your house on a foundation of rock. A solid place where if a storm comes the house will stand. For a follower of Jesus, when the storms of life come, as we live in obedience, we may be shaken but we will not fall.
When the economy is upside down where is the solid place you stand? When troubles and fears are on many, what is it that will keep your house standing? It's faith in the Lord, and faith is proved right by obedience.
There's an old hymn, "Trust And Obey:"
When we walk with the Lord in the light of His word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Trust and obey, for there's no other way
To be happy with Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Joy in your faith, completeness in the Lord is found in obedience to what God has shown you. Today we have the cannon of Scripture to guide us in what the Lord would have us to do. First is to call upon the name of Jesus for salvation. Then remember the lessons of King Saul: to obey is better then sacrifice.
Pastor Rich Lammay of High Sierra Fellowship is a member of Carson Valley Minister's Association.
