God loves His children and as our Father God wants us to obey Him. It seems like a reasonable request from a Father who knows our every care; who hears our every cry; who provides for us daily and most of all, who sent His Son to die for our sins.
Saul was the first king of Israel. He was anointed by the prophet, Samuel. God instructed Saul to completely destroy the Amalekites because they had been ravaging Israel and they were savage people who worshiped idols and not God. When God said completely, He meant totally destroy all the people, livestock and homes. God wanted to wipe the Amalekites off the face of the earth for their evil ways.
Saul was successful in this mission, however, he failed to completely destroy the city. They took the best of the sheep and oxen back to Jerusalem. When he met Samuel and Samuel heard the bleating of sheep and lowing of cattle, he rebuked Saul. He told him he had not followed God’s instructions. Saul explained they had just brought back the best animals to be sacrificed to the Lord.
Because he did not obey, God took the kingship from Saul and anointed David as the next king. Samuel told Saul what the Lord said, “To obey is better than sacrifice.” There’s a lot of history in there but if you want to read 1 Samuel 15, you will get a clearer picture.
God Requires Obedience
The point is that God requires obedience. The way Saul disobeyed didn’t seem like a very big thing, but it cost him his kingdom. I ask you to search your heart. Is there any little, hidden corner of your life in which you are not obedient? We are all sinners, but please know that God wants His children to obey Him – because He loves us.
