Obedience is better than sacrifice

God has called all of us to a life of worship and service. Our purpose in this life is to "Fear God and keep his commandments." As humans we try to complicate this issue. In church we read from I Samuel 15. Saul was charged by God to wipe out EVERY living thing of the Amalekites. This include all people, animals and so on. Instead his army spared f the best of animals and Agag the king. When approached by Samuel, Saul defended his actions by saying the animals were for holy sacrifice.

Samuel tells Saul Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He also has rejected you from being king.

Human understanding would have considered it wasteful to pointlessly kill all the animals. They could have stimulated the economy and provided for the needs of his people. Sparing the king may be deemed an act of compassion and mercy.

Our human mind will identify an action that we deem as good and use it to excuse us from executing God's will. After the act is complete, we may openly recognize our rebellion. We apologize and are sorry. While God in hiinfinitete mercy often forgives us, it would have pleased him more had we obeyed in the first place. Sometimes these actions havlife-longet consequences.

I find myself justifying things that I know are wrong. Do I choose to forsake the assembling of believers so I can stay home and "have my quiet time with the Lord?" Do I avoid people who are in need because "I don't want to bnosyey" when I'm really just being selfish?

To the outside observer, I may appear completely innocent or justified. But God knows my heart. He doesn't want me to be sorry later buobedientnt today. I have found every time I've submitted my heart is filled with such a peace and blessing I feel foolish foevery timeme I don't. Yet the Lord loveth whom he chasten. I'm thankful he loves me. Without the Spirit's direction and his holy word I'd be completely lost.