Open Heaven 3 August
MEMORISE: And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. 1 Samuel 15:22
BIBLE READING: 1 Samuel 15:22-23 (KJV)
22 So Samuel said:
“Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
As in obeying the voice of the Lord?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
And to heed than the fat of rams.
23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft,
And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the Lord,
He also has rejected you from being king.”
Read yesterday’s Open Heaven Devotional here
It is needless to reiterate that perfect obedience to God and His word helps us to set our priorities right. Sacrifice is good; God expects all His children to present their bodies as living sacrifices – holy and acceptable to Him (Romans 12:1 ). However, God prefers obedience to sacrifice. 1 Samuel 15:22 says
“…Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.”
Obedience is an act of doing and being willing to do what one is told to. In a spiritual sense, obedience is total submission to the written and spoken word of God. Obedience is an express commandment of God. One distinguishing characteristic of all who are great in the service of the Lord is prompt obedience. The Bible is full of stories of men and women who became great for God as a result of their complete and immediate obedience to the word of God. Heroes of obedience include Abraham, Joshua, Ruth, David, Elijah, Elisha and our Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible says:
“As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me: the strangers shall submit themselves unto me. The strangers shall fade away, and be afraid out of their close places.” “Psalms 18:44-45”
True and perfect obedience comes from a heart of love. It is real and not mere eye service. Boldness is a vital ingredient of perfect obedience. Peter and other disciples boldly confronted the Jewish elders when they chose to preach, saying they would rather please God and displease men. Acts 4:19 says:
“Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.”
Are you facing persecution because of your obedience to Christ? Dont give up! Dont compromise your stand. Obedience cannot be done halfway. Partial obedience is equal to disobedience. Disobedience is rebellion, which is as the sin of witchcraft (1Samuel15:23). Partial obedience was the undoing of the first king of Israel – Saul. Obedience starts with knowing the will of God then carrying out His directives promptly and completely.
ACTION POINT: Obedience is better than sacrifice.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Job 27:1-23 , Job 28:1-28
Thank you for studying today’s Open Heaven – Perfect Obedience – written by Pastor Enoch A.
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Open Heaven 3 August 2021
