READING:
One-year plan: 1 Samuel 15-16, Luke 18:31-19:10
Two-year plan: Numbers 4:29-5:10, Mark 6:14-29
Sometimes our decisions have serious consequences – even life-changing, dramatic consequences on the heels of our sinful choices. So King Saul learned when he did not destroy everything in the victory of his forces over the Amalekites. Samuel confronted him, and Saul eventually confessed his wrong (even if his confession seemed more connected with blaming others and guarding his own reputation)—but the consequence of losing his position as king did not change. God carried out judgment even after Saul confessed.
In the midst of that judgment, Samuel reminded Saul that “to obey is better than sacrifice, to pay attention is better than the fat of rams” (1 Sam 15:22). In the words of one commentator, “Although the law required the Israelites to offer sacrifices to God, the sacrifices were never intended to take the place of obedience.”* We are wise to remember the significance of obedience and make right decisions based on that truth, knowing that all the religious activity we might offer matters little if we choose not to obey God in the first place.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Are you following religious rituals while ignoring obedience in any area of your life?
PRAYER: “God, remind me again today of how much obedience matters.”
TOMORROW’S READINGS:
One-year plan: 1 Samuel 17-19, Luke 19:11-48
Two-year plan: Numbers 5:11-6:27, Mark 6:30-52
* Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., Whitehead, M. M., Grigoni, M. R., & Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (1 Sa 15:22). Lexham Press.