Well, the other night as I was reading I Samuel 15:3; "Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass".
I thought to myself that this was really going to extremes but then I thought about it for awhile and just maybe it wasn't. The Amalekites were so full of wickedness, cruelty, and were so rebellious that perhaps God felt it was better for the children to die in infancy and not live in the wicked and corrupt influence of their parents.
I Samuel 15 9; "But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly". Saul refused to do as the Lord have told him. I wondered why Saul had been so disobedient to God. I decided it was because he was not dedicated to God's will with all of his heart for had he been he would certainly have done exactly what God told him to do. Saul had been warned about his disobedience before. Back in I Samuel 13:13; "And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the Lord thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the Lord have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever". God had purposely told Saul to wait in Gilgal for Samuel to arrive who would offer the sacrifices. Saul's obedience was tested by the delay of Samuel. Since Samuel was delayed for sometime Saul decided to offer a sacrifice different to God's word. Saul has disobeyed God twice and the Lord wasn't happy about it.
I Samuel 15:22; "And Samuel said, Hath 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 hearken that the fat of rams". Obeying what God says from the heart is so important than any worship, or personal sacrifice. Without obedience to God worship, praise, prayer, spiritual gifts, or service to God is worthless.
I Samuel 15:23; "For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king". Rebellion and witchcraft takes the transgressor out of God's protection and he will be open to the power of Satan and evil spirits. Just because Saul was disqualified from being the king did not mean God had rejected him personally, he could still ask for forgiveness and receive it. Saul being king would not be restored.
As I was reading and studying these verses I got to thinking how many of us disobey God by not obeying completely? When God tells us to do something He expects us to obey completely not just in part. Have we missed out on a blessing because we have been disobedient? I am sure there has been a time when I did not obey God, when I think of this I am sad and disappointed in myself. How could I do this to God, the One that gives me everything and takes care of me?
Lord, I ask that you would forgive me for any of my disobedience. I ask that you guide me in all that I do and say, I want to bring only glory and Honour to your great Name. I thank and praise you for your forgiveness. Thank you for the love you have for me even though I am a long way from being perfect but am still a child of Yours. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen
May you always know the love, joy, and peace of the Lord!
