A popular commercial poses a question regarding how much you can save on car insurance. The answer is always given in an absurd, rhetorical question like, "Is it smart to have a snowball fight with pitching great ..." So, the rhetorical question before us today is, "Is it ever smart to think we can outsmart God?" At least one person thought so, and we might dare think the same in more subtle ways.
King Saul was given explicit orders from Creator God: destroy a city of enemies and take no hostages or possessions. Apparently he thought himself wiser than God: "But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep, the oxen, the fatlings, the lambs, and all that was good, and were not willing to destroy them utterly ; but everything despised and worthless, that they utterly destroyed." (1 Samuel 15:9). To make matters worse, he lied to Samuel the prophet about his obedience: "Blessed are you of the LORD! I have carried out the command of the LORD." (1 Samuel 15:13).
In timeless words that echo down today, Samuel succinctly summarized God's expectations: "Has the LORD as much 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." (1 Samuel 15:22).
The problem with Saul was that he presumed to know better than God. He rationalized and reasoned in his own mind concerning the will of God. And Samuel bluntly indicted this wayward king with the consequences of his actions: "For rebellion is as the sin of divination, And insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has also rejected you from being king." (1 Kings 15:23).
The moral of the story is that God really DOES know what is best, and requires unquestioning obedience to His word and will. We are in mortal danger the moment our personal wisdom begins to question and doubt God's word. In such moments the questioning voice of Satan can be heard as it was in the garden of Eden: "Indeed, has God said ...?" (Genesis 3:1).
The sins of Saul creep in to our lives when we presume. We presume to know what is best for our lives, so we make plans and seek the overlay of His blessings afterwards. We presume upon our own wisdom, so we forge ahead with the day's activities, without humbly seeking wisdom in His word and prayer at the start of the day.
"Father, spare us from the sin of presumptuous decisions and lifestyle. Humble us such that we dare not think to decide without searching your word and praying. Bring us to our knees in utter humble obedience, instilling in us the knowledge that Your ways are higher than our ways, and Your thoughts are higher than ours. Find us to be people ready to hear and follow, without question - this day, and every day."
Steve
© 2011, Steve Taylor
King Saul was given explicit orders from Creator God: destroy a city of enemies and take no hostages or possessions. Apparently he thought himself wiser than God: "But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep, the oxen, the fatlings, the lambs, and all that was good, and were not willing to destroy them utterly ; but everything despised and worthless, that they utterly destroyed." (1 Samuel 15:9). To make matters worse, he lied to Samuel the prophet about his obedience: "Blessed are you of the LORD! I have carried out the command of the LORD." (1 Samuel 15:13).
In timeless words that echo down today, Samuel succinctly summarized God's expectations: "Has the LORD as much 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." (1 Samuel 15:22).
The problem with Saul was that he presumed to know better than God. He rationalized and reasoned in his own mind concerning the will of God. And Samuel bluntly indicted this wayward king with the consequences of his actions: "For rebellion is as the sin of divination, And insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has also rejected you from being king." (1 Kings 15:23).
The moral of the story is that God really DOES know what is best, and requires unquestioning obedience to His word and will. We are in mortal danger the moment our personal wisdom begins to question and doubt God's word. In such moments the questioning voice of Satan can be heard as it was in the garden of Eden: "Indeed, has God said ...?" (Genesis 3:1).
The sins of Saul creep in to our lives when we presume. We presume to know what is best for our lives, so we make plans and seek the overlay of His blessings afterwards. We presume upon our own wisdom, so we forge ahead with the day's activities, without humbly seeking wisdom in His word and prayer at the start of the day.
"Father, spare us from the sin of presumptuous decisions and lifestyle. Humble us such that we dare not think to decide without searching your word and praying. Bring us to our knees in utter humble obedience, instilling in us the knowledge that Your ways are higher than our ways, and Your thoughts are higher than ours. Find us to be people ready to hear and follow, without question - this day, and every day."
Steve
© 2011, Steve Taylor
posted by steve @ 9:39 AM
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