READING:
One-year plan: 1 Samuel 15-17
Two-year plan: Psalms 32-34, Romans 6
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I wonder how most believers would respond if we asked them the question: “Which is worse—rebellion against God, or divination (generally, the practice of foretelling the future through omens or powers opposed to God)? defiance against Him, or idolatry?” I cannot know that answer for certain without asking believers, but I suspect many would categorize divination and idolatry much worse than their personal sin issues that surely seem less “evil.”
Recognizing that possibility gives me pause when I read 1 Samuel 15:23—”For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and defiance is like wickedness and idolatry.” Samuel’s point is not that divination or idolatry are not decidedly evil, but instead that the core heart issues of rebellion and defiance are the same as diviners and idolaters. The core issues are (1) establishing one’s self as above God and (2) making deliberate, intentional choices against His will. Maybe this simple summary of one scholar captures the points here: “ . . . to rebel against God is just as bad as practicing witchcraft. When you are hard-headed it is just as bad as doing evil and worshiping idols.”*
When I think of my own sin that way—including those “sins” I might consider as less significant—I can only fall to my face in grief and repentance. I want to obey Lord by following His word.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: How do you assess your own sin?
DAILY PRAYER: “God, help me to see my sin as You see it.”
TOMORROW’S READINGS:
One-year plan: 1 Samuel 18-20
Two-year plan: Psalms 35-36, Romans 7:1-13
MEMORIZATION VERSE (March 16-31):
“And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Col 3:17)
*Omanson, R. L., & Ellington, J. (2001). A handbook on the first book of Samuel (p. 324). United Bible Societies.
