Tag Archives: the book of 1 Samuel

April 23
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“But Samuel replied: ‘Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.'” (I Samuel 15:22, NIV)

The adage, “It is better to ask forgiveness than to ask permission,” has no traction in a disciple’s relationship with his or her heavenly Father.

Like any good parent, God wants you and me to be obedient to His will and to His way because disobedience’s true price is a sacrifice of another sort: Sacrificed time, sacrificed opportunities, sacrificed relationships that might have sustained us and, most notably, sacrificed intimacy with our Father, God and Creator.

In the economy of heaven, simple obedience is always preferable to our most extravagant “make-ups” and “make-goods” for our willful disobedience. “To obey is better than sacrifice.”  – Luther

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April 22
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“This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘I will punish the Amalekites for what they did to Israel when they waylaid them as they came up from Egypt.” (I Samuel 15:2, NIV)

There are times in life when others deal unfairly — or even ruthlessly — with us, as the Amalekites did with the Children of Israel during their time in the wilderness.

There is no denying the pain of a betrayal, or the expense of the remedies; but as a disciple of Jesus, we must remain focused on the task(s) God has set before us.

The Lord God did not forget the offenses of the Amalekites. At a time of the Lord’s choosing, he addressed the offenses of Israel’s enemies.  He will do the same for us if — repeat — if we will forego exacting vengeance, keeping scores, and bearing grudges against those who have wounded us.

Our heavenly Father has these things “for action,” so leave it with Him.  Our task is to remain utterly faithful to do all that He has set before us.  – Luther

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April 21
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“But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.” (1 Samuel 12:24, NIV)

Memory and gratitude are antidotes to many of the maladies that afflict our soul and that steal the joy of living. These maladies include self-entitlement, greed, a zero-sum view of common resources, and a competitive spirit when cooperation is what is needed.

When we “[remember] what great things [God] has done for [us],” such as giving us the things that money cannot buy (e. g. life, peace, joy, love, security of soul, integrity of mind); and an abundance of the things money can buy (e. g. food, shelter, clothing, transportation).  It provokes within us an enduring reverence for the Lord, and a burning desire to serve him with faithfulness and enthusiasm.

To count the relatively few things we don’t have — instead of the many blessings we do have — sidetracks us from the path that leads to peace with our heavenly Father. Remember — and be thankful.  – Luther

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