The Bible states that obedience is better than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22). This is in reference to King Saul not performing the Word of The Lord when Samuel had come to him and told him to utterly destroy the Amalekites (1 Samuel 15:3). See, King Saul had gone to destroy the Amalekites as he was told but then buckled under the pressure of the people and spared the King and the best of the sheep, oxen, and lambs (1 Samuel 15:8-9).
KING SAUL STRUGGLED WITH OBEDIENCE
Well, when it was found that King Saul was not obedient, Samuel confronted him, and Saul said he was going to make a sacrifice before The Lord (1 Samuel 15:15). God did not want a sacrifice, he wanted obedience.
WHAT DOES IT REALLY MEAN?
You see, obedience is hard. But let’s define it so that we can better understand why it’s so difficult.
OBEDIENCE
NOUN
- Compliance with someone’s wishes or orders or acknowledgment of their authority.
- Submission to a law or rule.
SYNONYMS
submission – docility – submissiveness – compliance
Now it’s a lot easier to understand why obedience is difficult. Obedience requires us to comply and or submit to someone elses authority. But, don’t stop there, it also means to simply comply or submit to a law or rule.
WHY DOES IT MATTER?
The Bible states that you should find obedience with them that have the rule over you (Hebrews 13:17), and it’s talking about your pastor, because it states they watch for your soul. Well, that fulfills the first definition of this word, but what about the second?
The second would be much like submitting ourselves to the laws of this land – or even submitting ourselves to a law we place on ourselves.
To be successful in life, in anything, obedience will play the key role. If you want to master an instrument, you will have to find obedience in practicing. If you want to keep your job, you will have to find obedience to your supervisors and the tasks that they give you. If you want to be successful in anything – you will have to find obedience.
You see, obedience isn’t just to others, it’s to yourself. Being true to yourself and being obedient to yourself are one in the same!
HOW CAN IT HELP YOU?
Obedience will harbor success. It will also harbor very strong relationships because when you find obedience in your life people appreciate that more than your sacrifices. It may be wonderful that you gave them your last dollar, and I don’t want you to think that doesn’t matter, but being obedient was better. And you know what, if all King Saul had done was be obedient, God would have been well pleased.
CONCLUSION
Today I challenge you to focus on finding obedience in your life. It’s going to take you a lot further than sacrifice ever will. And if you think about it – obedience is a form of sacrifice based on the definition!
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We’ll see you next time on Got My Focus On!