TO OBEY IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE

KING SAUL

Read 1 Samuel 15

      So Samuel said: "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry."

1 Samuel 15:22‑23a NKJV

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      King Saul thought that it was enough to partially follow God’s instructions. He not only took the spoils of war for himself, contrary to God’s command, but he also set up a monument in his own honor, instead of honoring God.
Saul’s arrogance was like the sin of idolatry.

     According to God’s standards, he was worshiping himself. Saul knew exactly what God required, but he thought he could pick and choose which instructions were convenient for him. His impressive monument became proof of his arrogance – so God took the kingdom from him and gave it to another.

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      Lord, as I seek Your will and purpose for my life, I want to be faithful to the instructions given in Your Holy Word. You have honored the position of wife and mother and required that it be given priority. Help me to remember this, as the world begins to squeeze me into its mold. Righteousness in Your eyes is far more important than worldly accomplishment.

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      Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 

1 Peter 5:6-7 NIV

SAMUEL AND SONS

APPOINT US A KING

 

Read 1 Samuel 8:1–5; 12:1–25

         "You are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have." 1 Samuel 8:5 NIV

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      Samuel was an honest, godly man who led Israel faithfully, but his sons did not follow in his ways. We are not told the reasons for this, but we are told that they turned aside after dishonest gain and accepted bribes and perverted justice. (8:3b) Because of this corrupt and ungodly behavior by Samuel’s sons, the people began to demand that Samuel appoint them a king.

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      God gave them what they asked for, a tall handsome young man named Saul. But he came with a warning: This king and many of the kings after him would bring far more grief to the people than they had yet known, taxing them and drafting their sons into forced labor. Samuel said, “When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, and the LORD will not answer you in that day." (8:18)

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      Lord, may we never forget to pray for our sons and daughters, raising them to be honest and trustworthy. Help me to be consistent in my own spiritual walk and in the discipline of our children. God bless our home that it will be a light in a dark world, reflecting your love and faithfulness.

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      “As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right." 1 Samuel 12:23 NIV

FOR THIS CHILD I PRAYED

HANNAH AND SAMUEL

Read I Samuel 1:1–28

      "I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD." … The LORD was with Samuel as he grew up. 1 Samuel 1:27–28; 1 Samuel 3:19a NIV

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      Samuel’s birth was an answer to Hannah’s fervent prayer. She had pleaded with the Lord, “If you will only look upon your servant's misery–and give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life.” When she brought him to Eli the priest, she said, “I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the LORD."(1:11, 27–28)

      Each year his mother made him a little robe and took it to him when she went up with her husband to offer the annual sacrifice. Hannah surely prayed for Samuel all the days of her life and God blessed her with more children.

      Even though Samuel grew up among Eli’s wicked sons, he became a faithful judge and prophet of God. Samuel would go on to lead Israel through the transition from judges to kings, and become King Saul’s spiritual advisor – all this in response to God’s plan and a mother’s prayers.

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      Lord, help us to be faithful to pray daily for our children and grandchildren. Use them for your glory and purpose on this earth, and give us the wisdom we need to train them to follow You–even in a wicked culture.

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      The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening." 1 Samuel 3:10 NIV

AN ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE

THE KINSMAN REDEEMER

Read Ruth 1 - 4

      Ruth replied, "… Your people will be my people and your God my God.” Ruth 1:16 NIV

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      Ruth’s people, the Moabites, worshiped the false god Chemosh, but Ruth chose to follow the God of her deceased husband, and return to the land of Israel with her mother-in law Naomi. The Lord blessed Ruth, and her widowed mother-in-law when Boaz, her husband's relative, purchased Naomi’s land and married Ruth, thereby redeeming Naomi’s inheritance. Through this practical legal transaction, Boaz and Ruth became the ancestors of our Lord Jesus Christ.

      The words of the Elders to Naomi were prophetic: “May you prosper in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem, because of the offspring the LORD gives you by this young woman.” (Ruth 4:11b, 12b NKJV) Truly Bethlehem became famous at the birth of our Savior.

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      We never really know how our common every day transactions will fit into God’s plan for the future. Help us Lord, to develop an eternal perspective about life and how we live it. May we be like Ruth whose behavior won her the respect and praise of Naomi’s people who said to her, “May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge." (Ruth 2:12)

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      The women said to Naomi: "Praise be to the LORD, who this day has not left you without a kinsman redeemer… For your daughter‑in‑law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth." Ruth 4:14a,15b NIV