Partial Obedience Is the Same as Disobedience - iBelieve Truth - October 30, 2023

“Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.” 1 Samuel 15:22-23 

1 Samuel records how Israel transitioned from being ruled by priests and judges to being ruled by a King despite God’s warning that a King would take much from them. Saul, the first King of the Israelites, is anointed by Samuel the priest. When Saul is officially presented to the people as king, he is nowhere to be found. Finally, after some searching, he was located with the luggage (1 Samuel 10). Needless to say at the start of his rule he lacked confidence that he was the right man for the job. 

As time went on he began to see himself as the leader of the people. He started relying more on what he thought should be done to preserve his kingdom. While he knew God was important to him in saving face with the people, he started to trust himself more than God. Then God gives Saul some very clear instructions: kill all the Amalekites and destroy everything that belongs to them (1 Samuel 15:1-4). 

At first, Saul appears to hear God and proceeds to summon his men to fight. Once the battle started they were victorious but Saul decided to spare the King of the Amalekites and kept the best of their animals and possessions for themselves (1 Samuel 15). After this battle, Samuel, the priest, shows up and is at first proud that Saul carried out the instruction that the Lord had given. Suddenly Samuel hears the bleating of sheep in the background, and his heart sinks; he knows that Saul had not obeyed the instructions of the Lord. Saul gives some good excuses for not listening but Samuel is not convinced.  

Then we read the words from 1 Samuel 15:22-23 which articulate how God’s heart is broken by Saul’s lack of total obedience. God tells Saul that what he wants more than burnt offerings and sacrifices is our obedience. When we fail to follow God’s instructions we are committing idolatry. Saul was rejected by the Lord because he was unwilling to trust in God’s lead.  

The New Testament reiterates this idea that Jesus is looking for a wholehearted commitment from his followers. When John, his disciple is given a vision of Heaven, he warns us that the lukewarm followers are spewed out (Revelation 3:16). The implication is that half-way Christianity is not Christianity at all. Just as Saul’s attempt to do just enough to still remain God’s chosen King didn’t cut it, God also sees past our uncommitted hearts that make up the church today. 

With God, it’s an all-or-nothing kind of deal. He wants our hearts and desires to use them to do abundantly more than we could think, ask, or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). We can trust that going all in is not a way to punish us; it’s an invitation to live a bigger life than we could ever dream up on our own kind of life! He takes our little and multiplies it a hundredfold! 

Prayer 

Father, when I am tempted to trust the advice of the world or take matters into my own hands rather than trusting your lead, please soften my heart to what your word says. You desire obedience over sacrifice. You want me to be all in for you, living in the light of eternity every day! Help me to remember that you are faithful to provide for your people. I never have to be afraid! I can trust your instructions because they are for my good. You are gently leading me towards Heaven, even while I’m here on earth. Father, I commit my whole heart to you. Help me to abandon any halfway efforts I’ve made as a Christ follower and offer myself as a living sacrifice to you for your glory. Amen. 

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Amanda Idleman is a writer whose passion is to encourage others to live joyfully. She writes devotions for My Daily Bible Verse Devotional and Podcast, Crosswalk Couples Devotional, the Daily Devotional App, she has work published with Her View from Home, on the MOPS Blog, and is a regular contributor for Crosswalk.com. She has most recently published a devotional, Comfort: A 30 Day Devotional Exploring God's Heart of Love for Mommas. You can find out more about Amanda on her Facebook Page or follow her on Instagram.

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