1 Samuel 15:22-23 “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 listen than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has also rejected you from being king.”
THE VALUE OF OBEDIENCE
On the internet, i read the story of a boy who went trekking on the mountain. He reached a great height when he realized that it was getting dark and he had to reach the bottom soon. He began climbing down. It was getting darker and darker, so dark that he could barely see. He was somehow managing to get down the mountain supporting with his hands and feet. Suddenly, his feet slipped. He fell and caught hold of the branch of the tree. He was holding the branch tight enough since that was his only support. He began shouting, “Is there anybody to help me out.” No reply! He kept yelling and yelling. Finally, he heard a soft still voice. “Yes, I am there to help you.” Greatly excited, he shouted, “Thank you, May I know who you are?” Quick came the reply, “I am God. I will help you, but you will have to remove your hands off the branch.
Not willing to do so, the boy kept hanging all through the night and finally died. The next morning, the villagers saw the dead boy and found out that the branch on which he was hanging was just two feet above the ground. Had he listened to the voice of God, his life would have been saved. Failure to obey God puts us in danger and positions us to be attacked by the enemy. Obedience is of great value to God and in our walk with God. A man can know all the scriptures with hermeneutical exactitude but once obedience is missing, his knowledge is meaningless to God. Haven't you seen people who knows the scriptures but do not live the life of the scriptures? That's becoming a common phenomenon in this generation where Knowledge is accessible but hasn't transformed lives. God is not impressed about how much you know but how ready you're willing to obey.
The attestation of a disciple of Christ is life of obedience to God. When we claim to love God and we don't obey Him, our love is just a mere lip service. There are many songs we sing in church about loving God. Sometimes, those songs stir emotions when accompanied with skillful playing of instruments. Singing those songs can bring tears to the eyes sometimes but God isn't moved except we prove our love to Him by living a life of absolute obedience: “If you love me, obey my commandments."(John14:15). That's the ultimate proof of love- obedience. God's instruction to us may not be easy for the flesh. Whoever says it is always easy is lying. The bible only told us how Abraham obeyed God when he was instructed to sacrifice Isaac but we don't know the struggles he had in his mind before obeying. Sometimes, it is not easy to let go what you've struggled to get for almost a life time. That's why giving is hard for some persons. For every instruction God gives us, grace for obedience is always available if only we can ask for it.
Father, I receive grace to live a life of obedience to your will in Jesus name.