WE ARE so easily deceived, aren’t we! Whether it is out of self pride; reading only what we believe; or our mind set declares it is okay, because it is dedicated to the Lord. We are instructed to fear God, but people argue ‘that does not mean we should be afraid of God!' Where is our fear of God? Why are we so easily deceived? Why do we consider that sacrifice is better than to obey? Why are we so blatant about our sins? Why do so many think it is okay to sin? Don’t be deceived - all sin requires repentance!
REMEMBER the story in 1 Samuel 15 where Saul is anointed king and is given instructions to overcome the city of Amalek. Saul was to go and utterly destroy all that they had; ‘do not spare them, but kill both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.’ 1 Samuel 15:3 And Saul defeated the Amalekites which was east of Egypt. But he took King Agag alive, along with the best of the sheep, of the oxen, the fatlings, the lambs, and all that was good, he took back with them. Saul later tells Samuel, when he was confronted with this, ‘I brought them back to offer them as a sacrifice to your Lord.’
GOD REPENTED He had made Saul king. Samuel pleaded with God all night but finally went to Saul and confronted him with his wrong doing. God was not happy that Saul had not obeyed his edict in cleaning up the city of Amalek. Because Saul decided on his own to change God’s plan, he lost the job that God had created for him. A job of stature; power and prestige among the people! He could have been a man of God and a leader of men!
SAMUEL asked that Agag the king of the Amalekites be brought to him. He came cheerfully and stood before Samuel. ‘And Samuel hewed Agag into pieces before the Lord in Gilgal.’ 1 Samuel 15:33b Samuel not only did the job that Saul was to have done, he did it with an ax, vehemently yielding strength and force. ‘Then Samuel went to Ramah; and Saul went up to his house in Gibeah of Saul. And Samuel did not see Saul again until the day of his death, but Samuel grieved over Saul. And the Lord repented that he had made Saul king over Israel.’ 1 Samuel 15:34-35
SAUL should have feared the Lord. Saul should have known that obedience is better than sacrifice. In 1 Samuel 15:22 God says that obedience is better than sacrifice. When Saul decided what was best, even when God had already told him what to do; he should have been afraid of the consequences. ‘For rebellion is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the Word of the Lord, He has also rejected you from being king.’ 1 Samuel 15:23
SOME HAVE SAID that even if we are disobedient to God’s Word, and do not live according to God’s commandments, we can still go to heaven, but we will just not have the victory here on earth. Do not be deceived! Many have watered down God’s Word to tickle the seekers ears. Makes everything easier to swallow and to digest. Some say this is the new age and therefore not everything in God’s Word is relevant for today. Hogwash! God’s Word is the same yesterday, today and forever. Therefore it is relative! Anything to do with God, we need!
THE PRIDE of our heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rock, whose dwelling is high, who say in your heart, ‘who will bring me down to the ground!’ Obadiah 3 There is another verse that keeps me on my toes; ‘But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the Lord; and be sure your sin will find you out.’ Numbers 32:23 Okay so our pride can bring us down and no matter the sin; it will become known. God is faithful to forgive; because He sent His only son to make a bridge for us to cross over into His joy! Why do we turn away from Him? Why do we say not now? We can love with respect and be obedient; but we need to love God with the respect of fear because our choices are not always the best choice! Ask yourself; ‘If not now, when?’ Today is the day for salvation! By Jane.Ann Crenshaw 3/12/15
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