Obedience over Sacrifice
By Greg Johnson
May 6, 2007
http://www.LovingGodFellowship.org
One of King Saul’s major flaws was that he tried to spiritualize his disobedience to God and His Word. He was neither authentic nor transparent and was constantly trying to act spiritual in the midst of his disobedience.
In 1 Samuel chapter 13, King Saul was to go to Gilgal and wait seven days for the prophet Samuel to come and offer sacrifices to the Lord. Saul went to Gilgal and waited the seven days, but in the last half hour his faith wavered when Samuel did not arrive and he offered the sacrifice himself and disobeyed the Word of the Lord.
In 1 Samuel chapter 15, King Saul was to totally annihilate the Amalekites including all of their livestock pointing to how we today are to rid ourselves of all sin and evil influences. Saul kept the king of the Amalekites alive and the choicest selections of livestock. Once again he disobeyed the Word of God and we see God rejecting Saul as a result.
SPIRITUALIZING DISOBEDIENCE
Listen to how Saul tries to spiritualize his disobedience when confronted by the prophet Samuel. (1 Samuel 15:20-21 NIV) ""But I did obey the LORD," Saul said. "I went on the mission the LORD assigned me. I completely destroyed the Amalekites and brought back Agag their king. {21} The soldiers took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of what was devoted to God, in order to sacrifice them to the LORD your God at Gilgal.""
Saul was so rebellious and arrogant that he failed to see his own faults and quickly passed blame to others. He blamed the taking of the livestock on his soldiers. Saul’s reasoning was that they had saved the best of the livestock for the Lord and justified his disobedience with human reasoning. This led to his destruction.
TO OBEY IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE
The prophet Samuel rebukes Saul’s disobedience. (1 Samuel 15:22-23 NIV) "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. {23} For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you as king.""
In our day some sacrifice their finances and give to worthy causes such as churches and organizations that are making a difference. Some sacrifice their time to make a difference. Some enter into churches across the land and bring the sacrifice of praise and worship. All of this is good and should be done, but of most importance is obedience to Jesus.
Why is obedience more important to God than sacrifice? Obedience is more important than sacrifice because we can sacrifice without loving God, but we obey God because we love Him. Jesus said (John 14:15 NIV) "If you love me, you will obey what I command."
DO WHATEVER JESUS TELLS YOU
In John chapter two, Jesus attends a wedding. At the wedding they run out of wine. Jesus’ mother tells the servants to “do whatever He tells you.” Jesus told the servants to fill the six pots with ordinary water. They obeyed. They filled the pots full of water and Jesus turned it into wine. Jesus utilized the servant’s obedience and turned the ordinary into the extraordinary.
Beloved, I sense the Holy Spirit telling us today to “do whatever Jesus tells us.” As we read and study the Bible and we spend time in pray, Jesus will give us direction for our life and for our situations. As we obey Jesus’ direction, He will utilize our obedience and turn the ordinary into the extraordinary. Jesus will save, deliver, heal and set free. He will make a way where there does not seem to be any way. You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country. You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out. Jesus will make you the head and not the tail. Praise be to our wonderful Lord!
