Stinging Words

My walk through the Bible has me reading straight thru from beginning to end. No Psalms or Proverbs and that's okay. I think I'll try to use my Friday post to journal what I find the most significant insight the Lord gives me from the week's reading. Right now I'm travelling through the books of Samuel and they are great reading.

The prophet Samuel has anointed Saul as the Jews first king and while he starts out fine like a lot of us we can easily get off track. Saul was under specific instructions from the Lord in a variety of areas and being a king and all it carries some heavy responsibility. The final straw of his disobedience came when he failed to wipe out all the Amalekites like the Lord had instructed. Instead, he saved the king and kept some of his goodies for himself.

The Lord was not pleased with his disobedience again and had this to say about Saul. "Samuel never went to meet with Saul again, but he mourned constantly for him. And the Lord was sorry he had ever made Saul king of Israel." 1 Samuel 15:35

Now with any great scripture there comes application for us. I don't know how I could handle hearing the words "I'm sorry I gave Mark this assignment" or "I'm sorry I ever gave Judy to be his wife" or "I'm sorry I ever gave him the role of an employer." Now, there is plenty of things in my life I'm sorry for and would love to have do-overs for, but I know many came before coming to the Lord. Thank goodness for His grace. The difference today is I can't hide behind the fact that I don't know better. God tells us in the book of James, "Remember, it is a sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it" James 4:17.

Tracking with God doesn't mean we're not going to mess up, but we all should know that if God is first in our lives (remember the first commandment) then he wants our undivided attention and our obedience. When we get off course He will gently restore us and help us to get back on track. If we're way off track He might have to be a bit more severe.

I'm pretty sure we won't wind up as kings someday, but the Lord wants us on His team. He has a role for each and everyone of us to carry out His purpose if we allow Him to. If we're not careful selfishness can creep up on us very easily as we start doing things for our glory, our purposes, our riches. In Old Testament times sacrifices were huge. Animals were brought for slaughter because it took blood to cleanse the people of their sins.

But Samuel told Saul there was something more important than sacrifices. "What is more pleasing to the Lord; your burnt offering and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams" 1 Samuel 15:22. The answer is .............

Take Away

1. Is there anything you are doing in your life that you know is being disobedient to the Lord?
2. Are you taking measures to help keep you on His path?
3. Are you looking to Him to even show you your path in life?