FOCAL SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 15: 22
But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.
Reflecting on the above scripture pictured the entire scene of the story portrayed in chapter 15 of 1 Samuel. Tears followed the reflection and I pondered what would have been my fate if I were in the shoes of King Saul.
After much thoughts and reflections, I came to the conclusion that there is no better excuse we can offer when we err off God's directive. This is because God knows our heart and He'll not require of anything more than we can offer.
The picture of Abraham's test of faith measured y obedience immediately and it further confirmed that no matter how tight the situation may be, eveyone called of God has but one demand to obey God and trust His leading.
I remember John H. Sammis' "Trust and Obey" wriiten so many years back as far as 1889, yet, with such a great encouragement to every believer.
Sammis emphasizes that our happniess in life and in this walk with the Lord is dependent on how we will be willing to trust and obey God.
Trust and obey, for there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey
The ability to trust and obey God id dependent on our readiness to walk with God in line with His word. Like David said in Psalm 119: 105, this word of God will be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path till we sourjourn to the end.
Each time we walk in line with God's word, all we'll enjoy is glory and this keeps us happy all the way to joyfully do what God bids us to do.
- To what degree do we trust God?
- Can we trust that where He leads us is the safest path?
- Would we obey Him through the thick and thin of life?
- What are the things that would hinder us from obeying God?
Let us attempt to answer the questions above and allow the Spirit of God work within us and help us to fix our ways with God.
May we not end like king Saul because we failed to trust and obey God. May we never seek to please God in the wrong things and ways, but rather be willing to suffer with him in the path of righteousness. - Amen.