Obedience really is that important.
|1 Samuel 13:7-14|
Have you ever been in an argument with somebody and they say “it’s not even that serious”? It can make us feel that our values aren’t relevant to those we care about. Disobedience really is that deep to God. God reveals so much of his character, values, and patterns in the Old Testament. One such value is obedience. This value particularly is very prevalent in the Old Testament. Some people assume that because we are currently under grace, that the Old Testament principles are no longer relevant to their lives. This could not be further from the truth. Jesus did not negate the Old Testament, he fulfilled it. Everything in the Old Testament points to the need for a Savior. I wonder how many times He says “keep my commands” throughout scripture. That shows the priority he places on obedience. It’s so important that, in today’s passage, Saul was appointed and approved by God, yet when he stepped outside of God’s order, God immediately had his replacement ready (David). To most of us, God's consequences can seem like an exaggeration or over-reaction. However, it’s not always that disobedience is caused by blatant rebellion; it is the underlying arrogance that assumes that we know better than God. In order for Saul to disobey God, he had to do two things that we all fall prey to at times:
He was aware. In order to disobey, it suggests that we were aware of what the instruction was and there’s no confusion about what God asked of us. Saul knew that he was supposed to wait for Samuel before offering anything to God.
He relied on his own wisdom. When Samuel returns, Saul’s justification of his actions (1 Samuel 13:11-12) was basically “you were not where you were supposed to be and trouble was coming, so I did what I had to do.” It is fairly easy to obey God’s commands under normal circumstances, but the real proof of a surrendered heart is one that is obedient even in the face of trouble.
Think about your own life. Has there been a time when God gave you clear instructions but you allowed the circumstances to justify your disobedience? What were the consequences? Later we will learn about God’s mercy and forgiveness, but first, we must understand the weight God places on obedience and disobedience.
Prayer:
Lord, I have sinned. There are things you are telling me to do even now that I have chosen not to obey. There are times when I feel justified in my disobedience because the circumstances are less than ideal. Please help me to surrender my will to yours. Your ways are higher and only you are God. I do not want to forfeit the plans you have for me because of my own arrogance.
