LESSONS FROM THE LIFE OF KING SAUL (PART 5).
TEXT:
"And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD. Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. ..." (1st Samuel 15 verses 22 to 23, King James Version).
Disobedience to God's Word was the bane of king Saul. God views disobedience very seriously. In the Scripture reading for today, God calls it rebellion and stubbornness, asserting further that "rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. ..."
In simple parlance, to disobey God's Word is in effect to rebel against Him. Most people don't realize that once you disobey God's Word, you are in effect showing that you are stubborn and rebellious in character. This is very serious because apart from constituting a challenge or disregard to God's Authority, both are satanic principles; and according to God's Word, "rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. ..."
For at least two notable times as king, Saul attempted to serve God under satanic principles. To God, this was utterly unacceptable. First was in 1st Samuel 13 when Saul offered burnt offerings to God which as king he shouldn't have done because it was Samuel's responsibility to do so as priest. This was in utter disobedience to God's instructions because while he was anointed to be king over Israel, Samuel on the other hand, was consecrated to offer sacrifices to God as priest. According to Samuel, it was a foolish thing for Saul to do. Hear him:
“You have acted foolishly; you have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which He commanded you, for [if you had obeyed] the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever.” (1st Samuel 13 verse 13, The Amplified Version).
The second instance was in 1st Samuel 15 when the Lord sent him to attack the Amalekites and to "utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass." (1st Samuel 15 verse 3). But in disobedience, he didn't only spare Agag the king of the Amalekites, he also spared the best of the sheep and oxen, etc for sacrifice unto the Lord (1st Samuel 15 verse 21). Here again, Saul was in disobedience to God's instructions and for this, he was rejected as king. In response, Samuel's rebuke was poignant.
"Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams." (1st Samuel 15 verses 22).
As Christians, and particularly as Pastors, let's watch out how we serve the Lord. Never serve the Lord under satanic principles. God will never accept such service or sacrifice. If rebellion, which is a principle of satan, is present in your service, such a sacrifice becomes an enjoyment and a glory to satan. Understand that God will not be moved and cannot be intimidated by the size or magnitude of the sacrifice or service you purport or intend to offer to Him. Saul could offer up the best of sheep and oxen, but God would not recognize or accept that as a worthy sacrifice because the principles of Satan were present, to wit, rebellion and stubbornness.
It's sin before God to serve Him under satanic principles. Some notable satanic principles that are oftentimes overlooked today amongst Christians include disobedience, giving offering and tithe from stolen or illegally made money, anger, pride, bitterness, lack of respect or regard for constituted authority in Church, etc. Today, it's a common scenario among Pastors to assume leadership positions by dishonest means. Some have seized congregations from their parent denominations and attempt to serve God under such circumstances. Any service rendered to God under any of these conducts, like in the case of Saul, cannot be accepted by Him. This calls for repentance.
The same goes for lying and dishonesty. God will not accept an offering that is tainted with lies and dishonesty. Remember how Ananias and Sapphira, his wife, had colluded to keep back part of the price of the sale of their property and dishonestly brought only part of it, presenting it to Peter as the whole sum and for which God struck them dead? (Acts 5 verses 1 to 10).
My beloved reader, I pray you resolve today never to serve God under satanic principles; for apart from the fact that He will not accept your service or sacrifice because it serves to honor the devil instead, in the end, it's a waste of effort.
PRAYER:
Father, I am sorry for any service that I have rendered to You in the past under satanic principles. Forgive me Father, in Jesus name. Henceforth, I pledge to serve You acceptably, in Jesus name.