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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Subscribe to the Attitudes Answers podcast on your favorite podcast platform to hear this and other 2-minute features 3 days every week.