DCLM Higher Everyday 23 February 2024 — God Hates Disobedience – Part 2
Topic: God Hates Disobedience – Part 2
Text: 1 Samuel 15:22-29
23For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
24And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.
25Now therefore, I pray thee, pardon my sin, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD.
26And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD hath rejected thee from being king over Israel.
27And as Samuel turned about to go away, he laid hold upon the skirt of his mantle, and it rent.
28And Samuel said unto him, The LORD hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, that is better than thou.
29And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent.
Key Verse: “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” (1 Samuel 15:22).
Message
King Saul’s soldiers talked him into accepting some war booties from Amalek. They spared the best of the sheep and oxen to sacrifice unto God, yet God had told Saul that they should spare nothing, but utterly destroy them. They even spared Agag, the king of the Amalekites. This was an outright act of disobedience and God was not pleased. Hence Andrew Murray, in his book, Learning Obedience, said, “From beginning to end, from Paradise lost to Paradise regained, the law is unchangeable – it is only obedience that gives access to the tree of life and the favour of God.” Saul lost access to God’s favour, the kingdom was taken away from him and his posterity. Instead of the Holy Spirit, it was an evil spirit that started operating in him. What a descent from grace to grass!
This is a lesson to all Christians. You may be a favourite of God today but if you disobey Him tomorrow, you will fall out of favour with Him. A little careless angry act of disobedience hindered Moses from entering into Canaan Land. Be not disobedient!
Quote: Be not disobedient!
Challenge: Obey God in everything.
Prayer for today: Keep me Oh God from disobedience, in Jesus’ name.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
