1st Samuel 15:13-19; 1st Corinthians 4:1-5
Going through the Scriptures today, I was thrown into a serious reflective mood, when I read 1st Samuel chapter 15 verse 10 and 11: “then the Lord said to Samuel, “I am sorry that I ever made Saul King, for he has not been loyal to me and has refused to obey my command.” Samuel was so deeply moved when he heard this that he cried out to the Lord all night.”
I started reflecting on my position as a father, pastor, teacher, Circuit superintendent, and all other position of leadership that God has placed me in. I started thinking if God regretted putting me in these positions. Have I been loyal to God? Have I obeyed his commands? These questions ran in my head. I had to bow my head in prayer, asking God to have mercy on me, and help me not to become stubborn and rebellious like king Saul.
Saul was given a clear and specific instruction yet he disobeyed and was still claiming to be right. He thought he was right because he obeyed partially. He failed to understand that selective obedience is just another form of disobedience. Saul’s heart was not focused on God‘s interests. He was doing things for is personal interest. He was telling Samuel that he had obeyed God, and that the area of disobedience was for God’s own good; that the animals he did not destroy according to God‘s instruction, was brought back by his men to sacrifice to Samuel‘s God. In his mind, he believed that sacrifice is stronger than obedience. But he failed to understand what sacrifice really is, and that obedience is better than sacrifice. (1st Samuel 15:22b; Psalms 40:6-8; 51:6&17; Proverbs 21:3; Isaiah 1:11-17; Jeremiah 7:21-23; Hosea 6:6; Micah 6:6-8; Matthew 12:7; Mark 12:33; Hebrews 10:8-9)
A sacrifice should be a ritual transaction between a person and God that physically demonstrates the relationship between them. A sacrifice or religious ceremony becomes an empty ritual when it is performed without love and a truly repentant heart. Our labor, donations, sleepless nights, attending church etc, will be unacceptable if we are not devoted to God and are not obedient. May we not labor in vain in our various areas of responsibilities. May we not be rejected by God even when we think we are doing what is right.
We are all mere servants, just like Paul stated in 1st Corinthians 4:1. We just need to be faithful. Being faithful will come easy when we obey and love God. It does not come with eye service. Sometimes we are tempted to praise others or ourselves for our outward show of commitment. We judge ourselves or others as been very good leaders, just by physical evaluation. But God sees our hearts and intentions, he is the only one that can truly judge who is a good and faithful steward.
As we consider our positions and places of responsibilities, we should never fail to rely on God to help us obey his instructions. We should always ask him to help us focus on pleasing him alone. Our sacrifice and dedication to duty, should be done out of love. And anytime we discover that we have defaulted, we should not try to defend our actions but admit our mistakes, ask God for forgiveness, and pray for strength to do the right thing. May our positions never be taken away from us, and may we never become stubborn and rebellious. In Jesus name. Amen
Remain forever blessed and highly favored.
Papa Mbos 