Do You Have a Deep Appreciation for Obedience?

What is the definition of failure? Is partial failure as significant as complete failure? When Saul, the king of Israel, was sent on a mission, God’s instructions were precise. The task was to annihilate an enemy of Israel, including all the livestock. However, Saul captured the king, and his army took the livestock for sacrifices and bounty.

Samuel, God’s judge, responded. “Does the Lord want offerings and sacrifices? No, he wants you to obey him. You refused to obey, so God decided you cannot be king.” Saul’s disobedience cost him God’s blessings and protection.

Do we behave like Saul by failing to remember that all we have or hope to be is totally dependent on God’s goodness and generosity? 

When we fail to do what we’re given to do, it’s important to immediately and sincerely repent in order to be restored to trust and fellowship with God. Nothing should ever be allowed to supersede our peace with God.

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 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.

~Psalm 139:23 New International Version

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How Does Disobedience Lead to Loss of God's Favor?

How would you describe your strengths and weaknesses? Acknowledging that strengths and weaknesses exist in our personality and character is essential for achieving success in each phase of adult life. How a person utilizes their gifts and talents during adolescence lays the foundation for an expanding identity.

Saul, the first king of Israel, exhibited the strengths that would qualify him for success. He was intelligent, handsome and tall, a man of courage, a military strategist, and a capable commander of the army. He was generous, but above all these he was chosen by God to be king.

With all of these strengths, disobedience would contribute to Saul's failure. Apparently, pride kept him from admitting his weaknesses and making amends. Proverbs 16:18 gives us this warning: “Pride leads to destruction and arrogance to downfall.” Always remember, humility instead of pride is the way to God’s heart and his blessings.

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Don’t let anyone deceive you with meaningless words. It is because of sins like these that the God’s anger comes to those who refuse to obey him.

~Ephesians 5:6 God’s Word Translation

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Saul: Losing Self-Respect and a Kingdom - Part 3

What happens when a person loses God’s favor by willful acts of disobedience? Romans 1 warns that God gave up those who refused to repent and turn from sin. 1 Samuel 28 illustrates what happened to Saul, the first king of Israel, when he lost God’s power and protection because he deliberately refused to follow God’s guidelines for living.

Saul went to the Witch of Endor for help which was prohibited by God. 1 Samuel 28 describes the terror and fear Saul felt without God’s help. Can you imagine what it would be like to experience God’s total withdrawal from your life?

What Saul gained from the Witch of Endor was knowledge that he and his sons would die in battle the next day. He and his army experienced devastation and defeat because of Saul’s rebellious attitude, but it didn’t have to end that way. God’s offers the narrow way that leads to life, his favor and blessings. It’s a choice God, Christ Jesus and the Holy Spirit long for you to make.

Saul: Losing Self-Respect and a Kingdom - Part 2

Saul, the first king of Israel was chosen for a significant role in history, but because of poor personal choices, he failed to fulfill the destiny God intended. He often acted impulsively, blatantly demonstrating disregard for following God’s plan. He became dangerously jealous. Jealousy led to loss of self-respect, impaired insight and good judgement.

Saul wanted to please his army and would yield to their demands, threats and values. In doing so, he set himself at odds with God, his highest authority, and with Samuel, God’s prophet for the nation. This conflict set him on a downward spiral toward failure and self-destruction.

On one occasion Saul was given specific orders to follow in battle. He obeyed partially but then tried to justify his failure to follow through completely. This behavior eventually led God to reject him and his descendants as leaders of the nation. Endurance is equated with patience and tolerance for what you know to be God’s plan.  

Saul: Losing Self-Respect and a Kingdom - Part 1

One of the saddest stories in the Bible concerns Saul, the first king of Israel. Samuel, the spiritual leader and prophet for the nation, instructed Saul to wait until he arrived at a battle scene before engaging the enemy. Samuel was delayed for what seemed an inordinate amount of time. Saul became impatient and anxious.

Unable to endure the waiting, Saul disobeyed Samuel and God’s rules. He took upon himself the role of priest and offered a burnt and fellowship offering. You might ask, “So what’s the big deal?” From God’s viewpoint, it was deliberate disobedience and demonstrated disregard for God’s order.

Saul failed to exhibit endurance and wait patiently for God’s timing. Endurance enables a person to withstand the temptation to act impulsively. Endurance portrays the presence of mind and spirit to stand firm even under severe emotional strain. Self-respect, courage and integrity enable a person to trust God enough to follow his plan.