Obedience is Better than Sacrifice, part 2
Obedience is a Crucial Part of Honoring God
When we love God, we naturally want to obey Him. We want to do what pleases Him, not because we are afraid of punishment but because we genuinely desire to honor Him.
The second is the relationship between Obedience and trust. When we obey God, we are showing that we trust Him. We trust that His commands are for our good, that His plans are better than our own. We trust that He knows what’s best for us, even when we don’t understand or when it’s hard. Trusting God in this way requires humility. It requires us to admit that we don’t have all the answers that we are not in control. But when we trust God and obey Him, we find a peace and security that we cannot find anywhere else.
The third is the role of Obedience in our spiritual growth. When we obey God, we are not just doing what’s right; we are also growing in our relationship with Him. Listen, every act of Obedience, is a step closer to God, a step deeper into His love and grace. Honestly, Obedience is a form of spiritual discipline, it’s a way of training ourselves to live in line with God’s will. I can assure you it is not always comfortable or easy, but it is always, always worth it.
The fourth is the impact of our Obedience on others. When we obey God it’s not just about us. It’s also about the people around us. Our Obedience can be a powerful testimony to others, showing them the reality of God’s love, and the transformation that comes from following Him. Our Obedience can inspire others, challenge them, and even lead them closer to God.
In all of this, Obedience is a crucial part of honoring God. It’s not just about following rules or avoiding punishment. It’s about love, trust, growth, and witness. It’s about aligning our lives with God’s will and seeking to honor Him in all we do. It’s about saying, with our actions as well as our words, “I love you, Lord, and I trust you. I want to follow you, no matter what.”
Heeding God’s Commands over Sacrifices
As we continue to reflect on the words of Samuel, we are drawn to the notion of heeding God’s commands over offering sacrifices. This is a significant shift from the practices of the time, where sacrifices were seen as the primary way to please God. Samuel challenges that perspective, suggesting that God values Obedience to His commands far more than the rituals of sacrifice.
Continued tomorrow
