Then Samuel said:  Does the LORD take pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? Look: to obey is better than sacrifice, to pay attention is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and defiance is like wickedness and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king.     1 Samuel 15:22-23 HCSB

The song Trust and Obey, written by John H. Sammis in 1887, talks of the importance of being obedient. In the chorus, it says, “For there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey.” Truer words were never sung or spoken.

God had anointed Saul to be Israel’s first king. Saul did not trust God, nor did he obey God’s commands. Because of Saul’s disobedience, he will finish out his life as king, but his son will not be an heir to the throne. David was anointed to be Saul’s successor. In 1 Samuel 18:12, it says Saul was afraid of David because the Lord was with David but had left Saul. Saul spent the rest of his life in bouts of madness. And all of this misery because he chose not to obey God.

There was another Saul in the Bible in Acts chapter 9. Saul was persecuting Christians. But Jesus appeared to him on the road to Damascus and told Saul that he was actually persecuting Jesus when he persecuted Christians. Saul turned to God; God changed his name to Paul. He went from being disobedient to trusting in God through all the sufferings and all the hardships he had to endure, and he remained faithful and obedient to God. He started many churches and wrote more books of the Bible than anyone else.

I spent many years of my life being a Saul. I went about doing things my way. I would sacrifice my time with church attendance and faithfully pay my tithe, but I didn’t obey God. It took me a while to figure out that God was never going to bless my behavior. He was not going to give me a pass on my disobedience. I had to turn to Him and surrender my life to Him. When we humble ourselves and surrender ourselves, it shows that we love and trust God with all our hearts.

Hebrews 11:6, it tells us it is impossible to please God without faith. We must trust in Him. He is a good, good Father, and He knows what is best for us. He will work all things out for our good when we love Him and live our lives according to the purpose He has for us.

Our disobedience is rebellion. God never honors rebellion. In the Old Testament, the Israelites were told that they had to kill those who practiced sorcery and witchcraft. God dealt harshly and even killed many of those who fell into idolatry. In our Scripture passage for today, Samuel tells Saul that rebellion is like the sin of divination or sorcery and defiance or disobedience is like wickedness and idolatry.

Maybe you are being disobedient, and it’s working out for you so far. Know that it’s not going to last. The sooner you surrender to God, the sooner you can start to enjoy the peace that comes from trusting in Him and obeying His commands.

Maybe you’ve been rebellious, defiant, and disobedient, and you are now suffering the consequences. You can repent and surrender to Him. He will save you.

None of us can be in any type of meaningful relationship with someone who constantly doesn’t trust us and rebels against us. And we certainly can’t be in any type of meaningful relationship with God without trusting in Him and obeying Him.

A good parent sets rules and boundaries for their children’s own good. God does the same because of His great love for us. Trust in Him today. Set your mind to obey His commands and live a life of peace and joy in your Lord and Savior.

Have a great day!