“Do you think all God wants are
sacrifices— empty
rituals just for show? He wants you to
listen to him! Plain listening is the
thing, not staging a lavish religious production. Not doing what God tells you is
far worse than fooling around in the occult.
Getting self-important around God is far worse than making deals with your
dead ancestors. Because you said No to God’s command, he
says No to your kingship.
1 Samuel 15:22-23 MSG
Has God ever told you to do something, given you clear
instructions, and you disobeyed? If so,
you’ve missed out on the best God has to offer you.
In 1 Samuel, Chapter 15, Samuel was sent to Saul with clear instructions
from God, “Go to war against Amalek. Put everything connected with Amalek under a
holy ban. And no exceptions!” No exceptions means everything and everybody,
that’s pretty clear. However, Saul
revised the instructions to fit his
preference, forewarning the Kenites and letting them go, sparing Agag and his
choice sheep and cattle. The Word says, “but all the rest, which nobody wanted
anyway, they destroyed as decreed by the holy ban.” (verse 9). And after Saul’s disobedience to God’s clear
instructions, he has the audacity to set up a victory monument in his own honor, and used the plunder for
a burnt offering to God. Wait, it gets
worse. He then declares to Samuel, “I accomplished God’s plan to the letter!” Not!
Because of Saul’s disobedience, Chapter 15 closes with the statement, “But God was sorry he had ever made Saul
king in the first place.”
When God gives you clear instruction, you cannot alter it, revise
it, or change it to fit your desires.
The King James Version says, “to
obey is better than sacrifice” (verse 22).
God doesn’t want your “lavish
religious production” (what looks good), “He wants you to listen to him!
Plain listening is the thing” (obedience). Don’t make God sorry He’s anointed you to do
a thing. Don’t miss your blessing
walking in disobedience. Get in
alignment with what has been spoken, and do it!
Margaret Slaughter
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