TO THOSE WHO DON’T OBEY

Throughout Scripture, God gives us a clear picture of how important it is for us to obey His Word. We see one such example in the life of King Saul, to whom God gave clear, specific commands through the prophet Samuel. “Go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass” (1 Samuel 15:3).

God had spoken to Saul in crystal-clear terms and yet, after he went into battle, he obeyed the Lord only in part. Rather than destroying everyone and everything, he spared King Agag — and he even kept some of the spoils of battle (see 15:7-9).

Samuel was grief-stricken at this. He told Saul, “The Lord sent thee on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed. Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the Lord, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the Lord?” (15:18-19).

At this point, Scripture gives us a grievous, chilling word: “Then came the word of the Lord unto Samuel, saying, It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments” (verses 10-11).

Does this describe your life? Has God told you in no uncertain terms to deal with something and yet you keep clinging to it? Right now, His Spirit may be speaking to you in a kind, wooing voice, “Your sin stands between us, interrupting our communion. I can no longer bless you while you persist in it. Trust My Spirit to help you. Lay it down now, My child."

God is telling us, “I want all your heart, all your love — not just half-hearted obedience!”