Scripture: 1 Samuel 15
Reading: Abandonment to Divine Providence Book I Chapter II Section V
(click links to read)
15:22 So Samuel 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,
And to heed than the fat of rams.
23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft,
And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the LORD,
He also has rejected you from being king.”
Probably the most sobering passage in all of the Bible for the Christian. The bottom line to our continuing in sin is our unwillingness to submit to the Will of God. His revealed and written word is the source of revelation, in partnership with the Holy Spirit’s work within us. Revealing to us a more intimate life with God and source of constant guidance. It is here that the glorious Testimony of God is proclaimed for in the submitted life people see not the truth that falls from our lips rather they see the Truth the springs from our hearts.
I have yet to be as convicted in my life as I was yesterday in the reading to a Truth that God emblazened on my heart, leaving a wound that will become a scar and Testimony of His Infinite Wisdom. We are a foolish lot! To have the written revelation of God before us and in our arrogance and pride we twist it and pick and choose what we are willing to accept and to obey. Defiance to God’s Word is simple rebellion! No different than witchcraft! We recoil at that statement, Hosea states that “Ephriam is oppressed and broken in judgement because he willingly followed after human precept.” The risks we take with God and yet when we see not the promises of God in our lives we grow weary and angry with Him as if He is the cause of our grief. What obligation does God have to me when I so willing place my precepts above His? Is that not idolatry by very definition? Yet God’s grace continues to abound calling to us to “turn and repent”. What Love is this that God should continue to call to us, even when His hand of judgement falls upon us.
Father in Heaven, You have given to us Your very heart in written pages and the Holy Spirit to lead us into all Truth. Open our hearts to recieve all that You have declared for us and give us a mind to be set upon You. Lead us as a child deeper into Your Truth and as a child believe what You have said as You have said it and help us Lord to go and perform the work of Your Word as You have designed for us that You would be glorified in our lives and we may hear those rewarding words, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord.”
