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. 1 Samuel 15:22-23 HCSB
In our Scripture passage, Saul was the king. He caved into pressure and offered a sacrifice instead of waiting for Samuel, the priest to do it. He disobeyed God to keep the people happy.
God is pleased when we sacrifice our bodies and our behaviors for Him. He’s pleased when we tithe and give to others. But more than anything God wants us to love Him with all our heart. He wants us to trust in Him, not people. He wants us to be obedient to Him. He wants our full attention.
Not allowing Saul’s son to succeed him as king did get Saul’s attention, but sadly it was too late. Saul would be a miserable soul for years to follow until he was wounded in battle and then chose to fall on his own sword (1 Samuel 31:1-4)
Is God trying to get your attention? Is He calling you to do something or to give up something?
More than anything God wants us to be obedient to Him. When we do something that we know goes against God’s word, we are being rebellious. If God tells us not to do it and we do it, that is being rebellious. If we don’t do something God tells us to do we are being defiant. That is likened to witchcraft and idolatry.
As you read through the Old Testament you will see these are things for which people were put to death. These are serious offenses against God.
Are you rebelling by doing what God has told you not to do. In the Ten Commandments we are told to put God first and have no other Gods before Him. We are told to not to make idols or bow down to idols (Exodus 20:1-6).
An idol can be that new boat that takes up our Sundays and keeps us out of church. It can be that sofa that makes a comfy spot to watch movies on Sunday or that new pool that calls us to swim.
We are told not to misuse the name of the Lord (Exodus 20:7). We should only use God’s name when we are praising Him. Be very careful with this one.
We are told not to murder, commit adultery, steal or lie. We are also told not to want our neighbor’s possessions (Exodus 20:13-17).
We are told to remember the Sabbath and keep it holy (Exodus 20:8-11). We are told to honor our father and our mother (Exodus 20:12).
Are you willing to give up pleasing man? Are you willing to sacrifice your time to honor God? Are you willing to put your own wants and desires aside to do what God has called you to do? Are you willing to be quiet when you have nothing good to say?
We pay close attention to God through studying His word. We learn to trust in Him and be obedient to Him. We should pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). We should acknowledge Him and trust in Him in all we do (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Matthew 6:33 tells us to first seek the kingdom of God and He will provide all we need. If we give God our full attention, He will take good care of us. He will protect us and provide for us.
He wants us to be obedient. He wants us to trust in Him. He wants us to please Him and not man.
Does God have your full attention? Give Him your all and trust in Him. Put your obedience and attention with your tithes and offerings. Let Him guide you through this temporary place into an eternal resting place of peace and beauty beyond anything you can imagine.
Have a great day!