Samuel said, “Has the Lord as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.” 1 Samuel 15:22
I know that the word obedience may seem optional to some, given the absence of absolute truth in our culture. However, God’s word consistently commands His people to obey and exalt Him. In the book of 1 Samuel, God reveals His nature and how we are to worship Him. I have always believed that we never have to figure out how to worship God because He tells us how. Our obedience measures our love for God and for His word. Listen to what Jesus said in John 14:23, “…Jesus answered and said to him, ‘If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him.’”
Obedience means hearing with a purpose and doing without question. Our love of God, for God, and to God is valid in how and whether we obey Him. In our obedience, we see God and fellowship with Him (1 John 1:3). Our obedience to His word determines whether we’re genuinely in an intimate relationship with our heavenly Father. Samuel said that God desired obedience because it was better than sacrifices and offerings. Unfortunately, we often hide our lack of a genuine relationship with God by checking the box on unsacrificial, heartless, or mindless giving of our money or our time.
What about you? Is your love for God rooted in unfeigned faithfulness to obey Him? Are you in total obedience? O, how He loves you and me! ●
Prayer: Father God, You know what You want and what I need. I know You value obedience to Your word. Help me love You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
