The book of Samuel is a really interesting read… Lots of action, drama…:P Anyways, I wanted to blog a while ago about Hannah. Through her story about how desired and prayed so earnestly for a son, I was reminded about how God blesses those who pray and cry out to him…those who realize their need for him. Similarly, he wants to pour out his blessings on me, but wants me to ask Him and go to Him for help first.
Anyways, yesterday’s passage in 1 Samuel also spoke to me..
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 listen than the fat of rams.
For rebellion is as the sin of divination,
and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the Lord,
he has also rejected you from being king.” (1 Samuel 15:22-23)
So basically, God told Saul to slaughter the Amalekites and not leave any of the cattle or people alive. But Saul thought it’d be a good idea to keep some to offer it as a sacrifice…and he also didn’t kill the king. Because he went against God’s command, Saul was no longer seen favourably in God’s eyes. (As a sidenote, the part where Samuel hacks King Agag of the Amalekites into pieces before the Lord is crazy to imagine. Wow. Hacking someone for God..=/)
Now when I read about stories in the bible, where God basically “gives up” on people, I get scared that He may do so with me too. I think Saul’s heart was right with God in the beginning, but he made some mistakes later on (i.e. Not waiting for Samuel to come before offering sacrifices in chapter 11). Why does God choose to remove His spirit from some people, and not others? How come God appears to show more mercy to i.e. David? He was considered a man after God’s own heart, even though he committed adultery, killed an innocent man, tried to hide it…
I was reminded through 1 Samuel 15 that the sacrifices we make not only have to come from our own desires, but must be in line with God’s commandments. We must worship God in spirit and in truth. I have often fallen prey to the belief that my hard work and marks in school are my sacrifice to God, but does God really want that at the end of the day? If anything, God wants my heart, to know I love Him more than recognition and success. If we love him, we will obey him.
Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice. (1 Samuel 15:24)
I think I know why Saul didn’t listen to God. He was too busy caring about what other people think, and fearing how others see him.
What offering does God look highly upon? “A broken and contrite heart, you will not despise”.
I will offer up my life
In spirit and truth
Pouring out the oil of love
As my worship to You
In surrender I must give
my every part
Lord receive this sacrifice
Of a broken heart
Jesus what can I give?
What can I bring?
To so faithful a friend?
To so loving a King
Saviour what can be said?
What can be sung?
As a praise of your name
for the things You have done
Oh my words cannot tell
not even in part…
Of the debt of love that is owed
by this thankful heart:)
