1 Samuel 15:22-23 Christian Standard Bible
22 Then Samuel said:
Does the Lord take pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices
as much as in obeying the Lord?
Look: to obey is better than sacrifice,
to pay attention is better than the fat of rams.
23 For rebellion is like the sin of divination,
and defiance is like wickedness and idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the Lord,
he has rejected you as king.
Word of God for the Children of God.
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.
God gave instructions to attack the Amalekites because they had ruthlessly attacked his people coming out of slavery from Egypt (Deuteronomy 25:17-19).
Setting up an ambush, Saul attacked Amalek with great speed and force.
Saul’s army gobbled up territory without much pushback.
They destroyed the Amalekites and took their King Agag alive.
Saul looked at the Amalekites’ good livestock and decided to keep them alive too. What could be wrong with that? Saul simply believed he could make better decisions based on his knowledge of war than on God’s knowledge of obedience.
When Samuel came, he was shocked to see two things: alive animals and an alive King Agag.
And because of this, God had said he was greatly disappointed with Saul.
Israel’s first king had chosen his world over God’s world. The Amalekites were not the only ones who dishonored God as he worked to lead his people.
Saul too had worked against God and tried to take advantage for his own gain.
God gave King Saul a clear command—to destroy the Amalekites completely.
Saul won the battle, but chose to spare their king and keep the best animals.
When confronted, he insisted he had obeyed the Lord.
But the bleating of sheep told another story.
Saul justified his disobedience by claiming he saved the animals for sacrifice.
Samuel’s response still echoes through the centuries: “To obey is better than sacrifice.” God wasn’t impressed with Saul’s offering; He wanted Saul’s heart.
Obedience is not about our checking religious boxes—it’s about surrendering our entire hearts, our souls, our wills.
It’s about our saying, “Yes, Lord,” even when it’s rock hard, inconvenient, or uncomfortable.
The people of Israel suffered while Saul was their leader.
Saul did not obey God’s commands.
Saul also set up a monument to honor himself for his victory in a war, raising himself above God.
When Samuel asked Saul, “Why did you not obey the Lord?”
Saul lied, saying that everything he did was for God. Of course, Samuel already knew what Saul had done, and this was an opportunity for Saul to repent.
But Saul’s answer was ridiculous.
He tried to cover up his greed with religious excuses.
Saul claimed that he had saved out the best sheep and cattle in order to sacrifice them to God.
But that was a lie.
He also shifted blame to others, saying it was the soldiers who had saved out the best sheep and cattle.
So Samuel said, “Enough!” Samuel cried out to the Lord.
And he told Saul that because he had rejected the word of the Lord, God had now rejected him as king over Israel.
How about us today?
Do we live our lives as we please?
Do we lift ourselves up and ignore God’s words?
Do we make up religious excuses when we have done wrong?
Do we blame, criminalize, condemn, imprison, scapegoat, ruinate the lives of others for failing to acknowledge, confess, what is our own act of wrongdoing?
When Obedience Costs You Something Irreplaceable …
Hebrews 11:8 tells us that “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out…not knowing where he was going.”
If we do these things, we need to repent and appeal to God for his mercy and grace. We do not want to face the sting of suffering of being rejected by God.
Abraham’s obedience was costly—it required trust.
He left everything familiar, and later, when God asked him to sacrifice Isaac, obedience demanded he implicitly trust God, sacrifice his own first born son.
The journey up Mount Moriah wasn’t just about the test—it was about trust.
Abraham could say to Isaac that, “God Himself will provide,” because obedience had taught him God’s faithfulness.
Walking with God means we’ll face similar tests.
Maybe he’s asking you to forgive the unforgivable, to give, and to step into something uncertain, the enemy whispering, “If God loves you, why this trial?”
But every test of obedience is meant to strengthen your faith, not to crush it.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding.” — Proverbs 3:5
When Blessing Follows Surrender and obedience ….
In Luke 5, Peter and his crew had fished all night with nothing to show for it.
Then Jesus told him, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”
It made no sense—but Peter obeyed.
The result?
So many fish that the nets began to break.
That’s what happens when obedience meets faith and trust.
The blessing was waiting beyond the “nevertheless.”
Peter’s reluctant obedience became the moment of divine overflow—and a turning point in his calling.
“If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land.” — Isaiah 1:19
Obedience doesn’t always lead to material blessing, but it will always lead us to spiritual fruit.
Proverbs 3:6-12 Christian Standard Bible
6 in all your ways know him,
and he will make your paths straight.
7 Don’t be wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
8 This will be healing for your body[b]
and strengthening for your bones.
9 Honor the Lord with your possessions
and with the first produce of your entire harvest;
10 then your barns will be completely filled,
and your vats will overflow with new wine.
11 Do not despise the Lord’s instruction, my son,
and do not loathe his discipline;
12 for the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
just as a father disciplines the son in whom he delights.
God honors the heart that places trust in Him first and acts on faith!
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Praying ….
Psalm 119:25-40 Complete Jewish Bible
ד (Dalet)
25 I lie prostrate in the dust;
revive me, in keeping with your word.
26 I told you of my ways, and you answered me;
teach me your laws.
27 Make me understand the way of your precepts,
and I will meditate on your wonders.
28 I am melting away from anxiety and grief;
renew my strength, in keeping with your word.
29 Keep deceitful ways far from me,
and favor me with your Torah.
30 I choose the way of trust;
I set your rulings [before me].
31 I cling to your instruction;
Adonai, don’t let me be put to shame!
32 I will run the way of your mitzvot,
for you have broadened my understanding.
ה (Heh)
33 Teach me, Adonai, the way of your laws;
keeping them will be its own reward for me.
34 Give me understanding; then I will keep your Torah;
I will observe it with all my heart.
35 Guide me on the path of your mitzvot,
for I take pleasure in it.
36 Bend my heart toward your instructions
and not toward selfish gain.
37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
with your ways, give me life.
38 Fulfill your promise, which you made to your servant,
which you made to those who fear you.
39 Avert the disgrace which I dread,
for your rulings are good.
40 See how I long for your precepts;
in your righteousness, give me life!
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.
Loving God, Living God, Loving Hope, Living Hope, Loving Living Life His Way! "Many things are possible for the person who has hope. Even more is possible for the person who has faith. And still more is possible for the person who knows how to love. But everything is possible for the person who practices all three virtues." - Brother Lawrence (1605-1691), Practicing the Presence of God (1692). 