Blessings!
Today’s Promise is 1 Samuel 15:22 CJB:
“Does Adonai take as much pleasure
in burnt offerings and sacrifices
as in obeying what Adonai says?
Surely obeying is better than sacrifice,
and heeding orders than the fat of rams.”
Devotion:
King Saul had clear orders from God to destroy every living thing in Amalek, but Saul took it upon himself to hold back the best of the livestock. When he was confronted with his disobedience, Saul insisted he had obeyed, he’d just held the best back to sacrifice to the Lord. It reminds me of the child who is caught with his hand in the cookie jar and explains, “I was getting a cookie for you!”
Sometimes God’s commands are not easy to obey to the letter. We can always find a reason to alter them just a bit to suit our purposes, and somehow even make ourselves believe we are doing it for God. For me, that struggle became real when God commanded me to stop fasting, because He had heard my prayers and answered them. As it turned out, after fasting faithfully for so many years, not fasting was even harder than fasting! It still is! But, every time I am tempted to fast, my husband quotes this verse, and I am convicted. I am reminded once again, that what God wants most from me is my obedience. Because that is the testimony of my faith in Him.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word, reminding me each day of who You are and what You want from me. And thank You for sending Your Son to show me the way, and giving me Your Spirit to empower me to please You. With each step of obedience to You, let me hear Your voice more clearly, that I may be a living sacrifice to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Have a victorious day in the Lord!
Rebecca
