The Importance of Obedience

I was reading this morning, in the word of God.  I feel compelled to share with you how I was touched and what I feel the Lord has showed me.

I was reading in 1 Samuel about Saul’s very brief time as King over Israel. There were a couple of things that struck me in this chapter.  As we know Saul found it hard to obey God and that is one of the points the Lord drives home in chapter 15, (the importance of obedience). We find one very popular verse in ch15, vrs22 “..to obey is better than sacrifice.”

The more I read and re-read this chapter it struck me how Saul seemed to try and manipulate the order of the LORD to fit his own desires. How Saul reasoned with Samuel. Arguing what he did in disobedience, he did for the LORD (vrs21)

While in the end it cost him his throne.

Vrs 28 “And Samuel said unto him, The LORD hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbor of thine, that is better than you.”

It seemed to me, Saul had gotten all too comfortable with the LORD’s mercy. As we see in vrs 24-27  Saul is desperate to have Samuel pardon his transgression, again. Even expecting it.

I know we have probably heard all this before, “The importance of obedience”. However, as I said in the beginning there were a couple of things that struck me as I read this chapter. The main thing being found at the end of vrs 35

“…and the LORD repented that he had made Saul king over Israel.”

This broke my heart and as I read, I began to weep as I pictured in my heart the broken heart of the LORD.

How many times have I, have we, been given an assignment from the LORD, and taken off with it? (perhaps in excitement even)  Not stopping and taking the time to listen to that small still voice for instructions for the next step?

Or worse yet, how many times have we at one time or another, flat out disobeyed the LORD? Just tweaking His instructions ever so slightly, to fit our idea of what is best. Or changed things ever so slightly because it was more convenient at any given moment?

I began to think of all the times I myself had waited and put things off  the LORD had told to me to do. Even just waiting a few moments to carry out a directive. 

I began to think about how the LORD had replaced Saul and thought to myself,  "How much longer will the LORD put up with MY disobedience before He replaces me?”

I began to wonder if my actions had caused the LORD’s heart to break and possibly caused Him to wonder if He had chosen the wrong person for the job?

I began to weep, in repentance and saw myself, not much better than Saul.

YES, we have Yeshua/Jesus.

Yes, we have the Blood of the Lamb and the Grace that flows from the throne. Yes, that grace is greater than any sin and the love of our heavenly Father is so pure and full and overwhelming. 

Yes His arms are always open.

Yes He is a God of reconciliation.

Yes He is close to the broken-hearted

Yes He is here for you and me when we fall

Always 

He is Always Here 

That is why He created us 

You and Me

To be here with us, for us

Through His Son He has made a way

Though we have sinned and lost our way

Through Yeshua, we can be with our creator still today

Still we are held accountable for that which we have received. Which means we should know better than to take advantage of God's precious Holy Spirit, by ignoring his voice.

What has the Lord asked of you?

Have you counted the cost? 

Are you willing to follow his instruction without deviation?

That is exactly what this portion of scripture has prompted me to do.

I want a double portion.

God’s grace has made this available to us through his son Yeshua/Jesus.

I don’t want to break the Father’s heart.

Do you?

If you found this post at all encouraging. If it spoke to you in an encouraging way or prompted you to move forward in your walk with the LORD. Please join me in this prayer below.

Shalom!

LORD please forgive me for all the times I have ever neglected to hear and or listen to your beautiful small still voice. Forgive my recognized rebellion and my unknown disobedience. Please help me Holy Spirit to serve you honestly and whole heartedly without fear or intimidation and help me to know my place in your heart and your kingdom and help me help others to live accordingly and do the same. I love you LORD with all that I am and everything I have.

I am yours….AmyColleen