“To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.”
1 Samuel 15:22
Our daughter loves to please us and is proud when she does something nice for our family. This is fine until it turns into her doing what happens to be convenient for her instead of what I’ve asked of her. For example, I may need the dishwasher unloaded, but she’d rather clean up her beads. She’s excited about what she did and wants my joyful approval. But the reality is, I am saddened that she did not do what I asked and what she knew was right.
In today’s reading, God told Saul to destroy the enemy. But he preferred to do what was more convenient and beneficial to him. He thought it would be better to destroy the bad and keep the good for sacrifice. What Saul saw as obedience was really his own will, not God’s. Samuel set him straight, and he recognized his sin.
How many times in our lives do we think we have a better plan than the Lord? We sincerely want to please Him but get caught up in our own endeavors. When God calls, may we respond more like Jesus when He said to His Father, “Not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42).
In today’s reading, God told Saul to destroy the enemy. But he preferred to do what was more convenient and beneficial to him. He thought it would be better to destroy the bad and keep the good for sacrifice. What Saul saw as obedience was really his own will, not God’s. Samuel set him straight, and he recognized his sin.
How many times in our lives do we think we have a better plan than the Lord? We sincerely want to please Him but get caught up in our own endeavors. When God calls, may we respond more like Jesus when He said to His Father, “Not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42).
Scripture Focus
1 Samuel 15:1-3, 12-21
Insight
“Take my will and make it thine;/ It shall be no longer mine./ Take my heart, it is thine own;/ It shall be thy royal throne.” (Frances Havergal, 1874)
Bible In A Year
- 1 Chronicles 10-11
- Proverbs 29
- Revelation 13-14