A KING'S DISOBEDIENCE
To obey is better than sacrifice, And to [listen] than the fat of rams (I Samuel 15:22)
There are many examples of kings, prophets, priests, disciples, and people in general who disobeyed God and suffered the consequences. For it is disobedience that imprisons and puts us at enmity with God. The blatant and egregious disobedience of King Saul reveals those severe consequences.
The Amalekites had attacked Israel on its wilderness journey from Egypt and killed women and children. They inhabited the territory that God had assigned to Israel, Judah, and the region east of the Jordan River (I Samuel 15:2-3). So, God told King Saul, through the prophet Samuel that his army was to kill King Agag, all men, women, children, all livestock, and Amalek, the grandson of Esau, who had sold his birthright to his brother, Jacob, for a pot of stew.
The sovereign, infinite, and eternal God has purposes that are above and beyond human understanding. His thoughts are higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:9). His every command and instruction is with purpose, for His will is to spare us from long-range, tragic consequences. Failure to trust God and completely obey His voice and directions will yield pain, suffering, destruction, and even death. The order given to Saul was to be an execution of divine judgment for the Amalekites' blatant worship of idols. Saul’s responsibility was to obey and carry out all God’s instructions.
NOTE: Idols are worldly desires, things, and relationships that take precedence over God.
Saul defeated the Amalekites but kept what appeared good, destroyed those things he considered valueless, and did not execute King Agag as ordered. This angered God who told the prophet Samuel, “I am grieved that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from Me and has not carried out My instruction” (I Samuel 15:11). Samuel angrily confronted Saul and asked why he did not obey the LORD, took plunder, and did evil in the eyes of the LORD (vs.16-17).
Saul denied his flagrant disobedience and argued that he had obeyed the LORD and claimed the people had sinned (I Samuel 15: 20-21). Samuel quickly told Saul that obedience was better than sacrifice and listening to God was better than any offering. For disobedience is rebellion like the sin of [witchcraft] and arrogance is like the evil of idolatry. Thus, the LORD has rejected you as king (I Samuel 15:22-23).
God is interested in obedience and not excuses, because obedience declares, “Not my will, but Your will be done.” So, what things has God told you to destroy or put away? Have you been offering sacrifices of your time, effort, and good intentions to please God instead of obedience? God’s Word commands us to destroy anything that opposes His Word, His will, and His instructions.
We cannot justify and excuse our actions nor can we continue to hold to sins, addictions, wrong habits, wrong thoughts, material things, or anything that keeps us from obeying God. To do so is rebellion and disobedience that open doors to the enemy.
God is quick to forgive when we acknowledge our disobedience, repent, turn from sin, and ask Him for help. However, He does not always strive with those who willfully disobey, because disobedience gives the enemy permission to imprison that person’s life.
The day is coming when excuses will be meaningless as we stand before the Lord and our deepest secrets and private motives will be exposed (I Corinthians 4:5). Therefore, we must always be aware of Satan's daily goal to lead us into disobedience and away from God’s anointing that destroys the enemy’s power.
Imagine if on the day of creation, we told God how and what to create. As foolish as that sounds, that is exactly what we do when we become the “creator” of our personal “world” and demand to live according to our will and standards. Yet the more we resist God and seek freedom from His will, the tighter grip the enemy’s has on us. Ironically, we are exchanging the Father’s protection for Satan’s imprisonment.
Saul’s disobedience made him a prisoner of Satan, causing him to lose his relationship with God, his anointing, his God-appointed position as king and his mental stability, which eventually led to suicide. That was not God’s plan, but it was the enemy’s plan. Therefore, a decision to obey or disobey God will determine a person’s destiny. Thankfully, God quickly forgives those who acknowledge their sin of disobedience and repent.
God desires to sculpt and form us into vessels of honor. As we submit to the Sculptor’s hands He reveals the beauty within and presents it to us. Unfortunately, we often refuse to submit to the Sculptor’s hands and then wonder why we have problems, disappointments, and sorrows.
Are you resisting God? Are you fulfilled or do you hunger for something more? As one who once traveled that road that allures and promises fulfillment in this world, I can assure you that true fulfillment never comes to those who live to gain what the world offers.
We live in the world, but we are not to become part of the world, for the world cannot satisfy. Or maybe you are comfortable in your daily life, happy with your relationships and family, have a good job, and enjoy material things that provide pleasure. But what if everything were unexpectedly taken away like the 2025 flood in North Carolina. Within minutes homes and 115 people were swept away. The simple truth is that this world and all its offerings are temporary and will never give the security and genuine happiness that only God can provide.
The Apostle Paul was incarcerated when he wrote: “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through [Jesus Christ] who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:11-13).
Paul knew that this sin-filled world could never offer peace, contentment, and joy. For those things can only come from a deep love and faith that is affixed to an abiding trust in Jesus Christ.
Is your life out of control with trials, disappointments, and problems? Maybe you are content because your needs are being met? However, true contentment and security come when resting in the hands of The Creator. For He says, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye” (Psalm 32:8 NKJV).
There can only be one Captain at the helm. When traveling life’s unforgiving seas, we must relinquish the ship’s wheel to God who will navigate us through those difficult waters and storms of life. Only then can we truly experience God’s amazing love and comprehend the sacrifice that Christ made for us.
PRAYER: Father, forgive me for living according to my will and agenda. I surrender my mind, will, emotions, and life to You and ask for direction and counsel. Help me to become the person You created me to become, so that I can fulfill my destiny that You orchestrated before I was born. In Jesus’ name, amen.