To Obey

Read Psalm 119:121-128 (Ayin)

Read 1 Samuel 15

In the last few chapters we have seen Saul begin to follow a pattern of taking matters into his own hands and not seeking the favor and direction of the Lord. He offered unauthorized sacrifices and was rebuked for it in Chapter 13. He makes a very rash and foolish vow in Chapter 14 that almost cost the life of his son, Jonathan. The vow was also harmful to the people as they got weaker and weaker while pursuing the Philistines. Now in Chapter 15 he goes against a direct order of God to completely wipe out the Amalekites. He tries to convince Samuel that he has followed all the orders of God, but Samuel asks, "What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears and the lowing of the oxen that I hear?" (v. 14).

The answer given him was that the people wanted to give the best of the spoils to God. I have serious doubts whether this was true or not. Saul may have been trying to pull one over on Samuel. They may have fully intended to keep it (maybe offering some of it to God). But even if they were going to sacrifice all of it to God, it is not an excusable offense. God does not permit worship that is against God's Word.

We cannot go directly against what God says and then proclaim, "It is for the Lord! It is for the Lord!" Yet, this is a trap that is always waiting for us. Luther pointed out many ways the Church was doing this in his day. They were going against a clear Word of Scripture, "worshipping" in sinful ways, and declaring "It is for the Lord!" Unfortunately, many of these practices are still around today.

But to make it more personal, it doesn't just happen in churches. It can happen in our life. We declare that we are Christians and that we want to glorify God in all that we think, say, and do, yet we know we fall far short of that time and time again. This is sin. We can talk about "pouring out our hearts" and "just glorifying God," but if our deeds are sinful, then we act as Saul has acted. And we see the horrible, tragic end of this chapter. The Lord has left Saul. Now, that's a loaded statement. It means that God no longer approves of him, God will no longer help and deliver him, God no longer validates his rule. Though Saul clings to the throne for a while, his rule is as good as gone.

O Lord, never leave us! Friends, we have sin, but we can rejoice that God is gracious and merciful. God is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all iniquity. Let us confess our sin freely before him.

And then let us remember that "to obey is better than sacrifice" (v. 22). Rather than all sorts of false worship and lip service, God wants us to hear his Word and walk in his ways. Then things will go well for us.

We have the full and free forgiveness of Jesus, won on the cross and validated in his empty grave. He freely gives us his Spirit that we might walk in his ways. Then, let us do as our Psalm today says, and love his commandments and consider his precepts to be right. (Psalm 119:127-128).

Pray:

"Heavenly Father, forgive us for the many times we have not followed Your Word completely. We can never thank You enough for Jesus' sacrifice for our sins. Renew in us daily the will and ability to live for Him who died for us. Amen." (TLSB p. 460).