1 Samuel Chapter 15: verse 22
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.
1 Samuel Chapter 15: verse 24
Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned. I violated the Lord’s command and your instructions. I was afraid of the men and so I gave in to them.”
God had given Saul very specific instructions, but as we read through the whole of chapter 15, we see that Saul and his men totally disregarded them. They did what they thought was right in their own eyes, not God’s. When Saul is confronted by Samuel, his excuse for doing so seems plausible at first, but its not what they had been told to do. When Saul is further challenged, we then see the real reason. Saul was afraid of the men, so he let his fear lead him into sin.
That’s a lesson for all of us. We must be careful not to allow our fears to lead us into making wrong decisions, or worse, into sin. Far better to take those fears and worries to God Himself so that He can strengthen us and help us to be obedient.
God doesn’t want an alternative offering or a compromise. He wants obedience. He is asking us to trust that His judgement is better than ours. He will help us if we are afraid or worried. We should never try to work things out by ourselves without Him.
Dear Lord,
Help me to be both trusting and obedient. I know that You only want the best for me, no matter what anyone else thinks. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.