Obedience is better than Sacrifice 1 Samuel 15:22-23

Scripture:  1 Samuel 15:22-23 But Samuel replied: "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."  (NIV)

1 Samuel 15:22-23 Then Samuel said, Do you think all God wants are sacrifices— empty rituals just for show? He wants you to listen to him! Plain listening is the thing, not staging a lavish religious production. Not doing what God tells you is far worse than fooling around in the occult. Getting self-important around God is far worse than making deals with your dead ancestors. Because you said No to God's command, he says No to your kingship.  (MSG)

Observation:  Obedience is more important than sacrifice.  Sacrifice is defined as the offering of food, objects or the lives of animals or people to a higher purpose or to God or the gods as an act of propitiation or worship.  Propitiation means the turning away of wrath by an offering.   This verse is saying that it is better to obey than to make a sacrifice later in repentance.   Disobeying what God wants me to do is a far greater sin than occult and idolatry.   In Saul’s situation, he lost his kingship.   

Application:  There an old saying I have heard in the business world: “It is better to ask for forgiveness later than for permission.”    I realize that the saying is wrong.  It is better to ask first and obey, than to seek forgiveness or give a sacrificial offering.   I see this from many sides.

1.  I have learned that it is better to not eat the unhealthy (too much or too poor a quality of food) AND to keep physically active instead of doing nothing.  These two actions equal obedience for my physical self.  If I do chose the unhealthy, that means I need to sacrifice to make up for the choice to overindulge.  When I was losing the 116 pounds, I needed to sacrifice or “uneat” (my word) the food.  I am thankful that the Lord was there to help me uneat and exercise to burn off the overindulgence in my past life.
2.  When I communicate with my words, I speak before I think.  I need God’s filter on my words.  I need to seek him and obey what he tells me to say.  I am forever working on this.  Just when I think I am better, I learn that I have stumbled.  Thankfully, God puts people in my life to help me see the truth.

I want to be obedient so that I do not have to sacrifice! 

Prayer:  Lord Almighty, forgive me for my actions and words that have negatively affected others as well as myself.  You are the Lord of my life and I want to live that out each moment.  Help me Lord to know your will.  I want to be obedient.    Thank you Lord, you have provided a multitude of blessings in my life.  Amen.

Perseverance Titus 2:11-14

Scripture:  Titus 2:11-14
11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.12 It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

Observation:  First, there is the awareness of God’s grace and salvation. Then, with that gift, we learn to recognize that we need to say “No” to our sinful desires.  We are taking action in saying “No” we are obeying.  We are controlling ourselves by living upright and godly lives.  Last, the waiting until Christ comes in verse 13 is also addressed at the end of verse 14, eager to do what is good is done while we wait.

Application:  First, as we become aware, I need to read the bible, study the bible, worship and disciple in my First Place group.  The second action is to do what I learn, eagerly do good and just as important to say “No” to what is sinful.   I need to stay in tune with God so I know what is sinful.  Finally, I need to persevere, as these actions are to take place until Jesus is revealed.

Prayer:  Lord, I fall short every day.  I am not consistent.   I hear, I write, and yet I do not always do.  Lord Almighty, reveal to me always what you want me to do.  Help me so I honor you with all I do. Amen.

How is God speaking to you through this verse?