Does the Lord take pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices
as much as in obeying the Lord?
as much as in obeying the Lord?
Look: to obey is better than sacrifice,
to pay attention is better than the fat of rams.
1 Samuel 15:22to pay attention is better than the fat of rams.
Observation: The instructions to Saul were straightforward - destroy all the Amalekites and everything they own. Saul took the king alive and kept the best animals alive. Twice he argues that this very act, in fact, aligns to the instructions, despite the very clear difference between what he was told to do and what he did.
Saul gives reasons for not killing all the animals, specifically that they are to be a sacrifice for God. Of course, the also says that it was the men, not him, who took the animals, so claiming his is conducting sacrifices rings untrue. Saul simply didn't do what God told him to do. He took the general action, but ignored the details.
Application: I am actively ignoring details every day. Day in and day out, I believe I am obeying God because I am in this place, and caring for my family, and praying for others. However, I get frustrated and angry, and I am part of confrontations and frustrations. That is not how one loves others - the primary detail God cares about - and thus my location and mission are meaningless because my words and actions fail.
The mission is to "go" ... but the instructions are to make disciples, love one another, care for the downtrodden, speak gentle truth, be wise in interactions, and to teach. Every day I "go" ... and do none of the above. The Lord does not take pleasure in my going, he really just wants me to start paying attention.
Prayer: Dear Lord, please forgive my haughty demeanor. Sometimes I feel I was born angry. I truly wish for a softer heart, and kinder mind, and a loving attitude. I must become lesser, while Jesus becomes greater in all situations around me. Please make in me a new heart. Amen.
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