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Yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. John 5:40
D.L. MOODY
The battle is fought on that one word of the will; the door hangs on that one hinge of the will. Will you obey? That is the question! Will you obey the voice of God and do as He commands you? No man can obey for you any more than he can eat and drink for you. You must eat and drink for yourself, and you must obey God for yourself.
ERWIN LUTZER
No one can obey God in your stead, especially when the pressure is on. Where you turn to when the bottom falls out of life and tragedy strikes says much about who you are and what you really believe. Our hearts are revealed when we face a choice of obedience to God or going our own way.
King Saul is an interesting study in psychological analysis; he was a peculiar mixture of good and bad. He was able to win battles, but when his personal desires clashed with God’s will, he took the easy and most attractive route. His reputation and personal fortune meant more to him than hard obedience.
In brief, Saul was asked to slay the Amalekites, and though he was partially obedient, he spared the life of their king and claimed that he kept the best of their flocks to offer as a sacrifice to the Lord. But the prophet Samuel, speaking on behalf of God said, “Has 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.” Saul admitted that the reason for his disobedience was to please the people (see 1 Samuel 15:22–24).
Obedience is never easy. But it is always the best path. God commands all people to come to Him and repent, but very few obey.
The question is: Will we obey the voice of God or the voice of man?
PRAYER
Father, help me to keep my eyes and heart focused on you regardless of the trials.REFLECTION QUESTIONS
Saul was tempted by his reputation and personal fortune. What tempts you away from obedience to the Lord?
How does our response to difficulties highlight the object of our faith?