Monday, November 25, 2013

        To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice  Part I

This week, I've been reading about Saul, and how Samuel instructed Him to go and wipe out all the Amalekites and all their animals as well. 
    This was Saul's last chance to see whether he would obey God, or would seek his own way.  But sadly, He failed the test.  Instead of obeying fully, He took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and the best of the livestock alive.
  Yet God, through Samuel had made it very clear that he was to spare nothing, because their cup of iniquity was full.  
    When Saul had won the war, his heart swelled with pride, so to heighten his triumphal return, he spared Agag the king of the Amalekites. Saul and the children of Israel attributed the victory to their mighty king instead of to the Lord. 
   Saul reigning as the king, was the vicegerent of the Lord. But when he refused to follow the Lord's directions, He was misrepresenting the Lord.  
   That makes me think how important is when we are in high positions of authority, that we always represent our Lord rightly!   People will look to those who are in high stations, so if we stray from the path of righteousness, we will be held accountable for their errors as well!
    James 3:1 says," My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation."
    Another lesson we can learn from Saul, is that one tiny sin we lead to another and another and another, until we are completely in control of Satan!   Because Saul had so many people fighting for him, and won such a brillant victory when he rescued the people of Jabesh-Gilead from the Ammonites, he gradually turned from being a humble, teachable man,into a proud and self-sufficent ruler!  
    How sad! How careful we must be not let one little sin that we cherish, destroy us!