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What is your definition of totally? The dictionary uses words like completely, entirely, and wholly to describe it.
There is a sad story in 1 Samuel about when God removed His Spirit from King Saul. It’s sad because Saul had convinced himself that he was serving God. It’s sad because many of us have fallen into the same trap that Saul did.
In 1 Samuel 15, God instructed Saul, through the prophet Samuel, to totally destroy the Amalakites. When Saul failed to carry out God’s instructions, Samuel confronted him.
Saul’s response is revealing. “But I did obey the LORD … I went on the mission the LORD assigned me. I completely destroyed the Amalekites and brought back Agag their king. The soldiers took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of what was devoted to God, in order to sacrifice them to the LORD your God at Gilgal” (1 Samuel 15:20, 21).
How can you totally destroy an object or people and still have something to bring back? Isn’t that impossible?
Now, Saul probably didn’t consciously think that he had a better plan than God, but his actions proved that to him, totally didn’t mean one hundred percent. Saul believed it was possible to obey God (mostly) and still do what he wanted.
But obedience isn’t obedience unless it is total.
Do we also think we can serve God and get our own way?
Little compromises, an ounce of pride, a smidgen of selfishness and soon we are thinking that a sacrifice in one area will make up for a lack of “total” obedience in another area.
Like Saul, we have convinced ourselves that it is okay.
Samuel’s words to Saul are words that we too must heed:
“Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of ram” (1 Samuel 15:22).
Heavenly Father, I want to obey You totally. Reveal to me any area where I have convinced myself that I am obeying but am not.
Questions: How do you try to justify partial obedience? What stands in the way of total obedience?
About the Author Suzanne Benner
Daily audio podcast: A second daily devotional, The Stones Cry Out, today on the Men’s Devotional Blog
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