Samuel said, “Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of divination, And insubordination 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, NASB)
In the Bible passage above, the Prophet/Judge Samuel is berating King Saul. God’s instructions to Saul, through Samuel, were to wage war against Amalek, and to “utterly destroy” all the people and their animals. (The Amalekites had refused passage of the Israelites during their 40-year journey through the wilderness) When Saul had completed his mission, he “captured Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword. But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep, the oxen, the fatlings, the lambs, and all that was good, and were not willing to destroy them utterly; but everything despised and worthless, that they utterly destroyed.” (1 Samuel 15:8-9, NASB)
Thus God’s ire against Saul, and Samuel’s corresponding diatribe against him. Saul used the excuse that the people kept the animals to use as sacrifices to the Lord. But God and Samuel would have none of it. The bottom line is that Saul disobeyed God. And the consequence? “Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has also rejected you from being king.” Saul’s disobedience would keep him from the line of Messiah, and pave the way instead for King David to be the ancestor of King Jesus, Whose throne will last forever!
Disobedience to God carries consequences. Our sins result in loss of time that we could have spent with Abba Father. Instead, our obedience yields a sweet time of fellowship with Him! I’d much rather have the fellowship than the separation. This applies from an eternal perspective as well. God expects us to honor the Descendant of King David, Who is Jesus Christ, God’s only Son. To do so, to make Him Savior, is what God expects from us. Our obedience in this matter yields eternal life with Him. To disobey means eternal separation from Him in hell.
Tomorrow, 16 April, is the fifth anniversary of my diagnosis for ALS. When I was diagnosed, I had no idea how long I’d live. I’ve heard and read that when people are diagnosed with ALS, they’re typically told that they have two to five years in which to live, and that they should put their affairs in order. I’ve never been told this by anyone, and I think being told this is unfair, as each ALS case is different.
My longevity is a testament to Sue. God has used her to keep me alive for whatever His reasons. Her work is physically, emotionally, and psychologically difficult. Each day I pray that God would give her strength, energy, wisdom, grace, peace, and patience (it’s not easy being married to me even under normal circumstances), and that He would protect her from illness, injury, and burnout. I praise God and thank Him for putting us together all those years ago. He sure gave me a good one!
Apparently, God’s not done with me yet!