There Is Something About Obedience

Scripture:

1Chr. 10:13   So Saul died for his unfaithfulness; he was unfaithful to the LORD in that he did not keep the command of the LORD; moreover, he had consulted a medium, seeking guidance, ¹⁴ and did not seek guidance from the LORD. Therefore the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.

Observation:

Saul died a sad death after being wounded in battle. The man who had started his reign with such vision and excitement ended up losing it all. He had the opportunity to begin a new dynasty, a kingdom in which his family would rule. All that he had to do was be obedient to the God who had chosen Saul to be king. Sadly, he chose to go his own way, making his own decisions and continually being disobedient. 

He refused to follow God’s commands and continually thought that he knew better, sometimes even trying to tell God that he had come up with an improvement on God’s plan. This disappointed God and instead of trying to rectify his wrongs, Saul continued to create distance between himself and God. God continued to be available to Saul and would have provided advice and direction. Instead, Saul went and sought the advice of a medium, or what is also called a “familiar spirit.” Someone with whom he was more comfortable than he was with God. 

Finally, Saul lost everything, including the kingdom for his family. His head was placed in the temple to the god, Dagon. That’s where the ark of the covenant had been placed earlier and as a result, Dagon had failed over and broken into pieces. No such report of Dagon’s response this time. Now, God’s presence was entirely gone. Saul active and passive disobedience resulted in complete separation from God, who loved him and would have provided direction. All it required was obedience.

Application:

It seems that obedience to God ends up being quite difficult for many people. Maybe it’s stubbornness or pride that makes us want to do things our own way, but the result is never very pretty. God is not mean or trying to constrict our freedoms. Instead, God loves us and is trying to provide positive guides for our lives. Obedience is not to a hard or authoritarian leader, but to a loving heavenly Father who only wants the best for us. 

Unfortunately to some it seems that obedience to God is restrictive. Society encourages everyone to do whatever it is that makes them feel good. But what if what makes us feel good is actually bad for us? Obedience to the things of God actually protects us from the things that can be hurtful to us and our lives. 

Yes, there really is something about obedience. Saul learned too late in life that disobedience had dire consequences. God challenges us, in positive ways, to be dependent upon him. Obedience is a good place to learn dependence and watch the ways in which God can and will work in and through us. 

Prayer

Lord, please help me to be obedient to the challenges you place in my life.  Amen.