Daily Devotional for Friday, July 21

The Rendezvous and Rebuke

“And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the Lord: I have performed the commandment of the Lord,” 1 Samuel 15:13.

He just lied about it!!  The commandment of God was straightforward.  It was not humane.  It was not merciful, and it certainly wasn’t profitable, but it was a direct command.  To follow God, Saul was to lead Israel to kill every Amalekite regardless of rank, gender or age.  The command even applied to the animals they possessed.  When Samuel walked up it was obvious Amalekite cows were mooing, and Amalekite sheep were bleating.  Saul had given them a good beating, but it was not at all the truth when he said, “I have performed the commandment of the Lord” (1 Samuel 15:13).

God knew what had happened and set up a rendezvous.  The situation was such that God regretted setting Saul up as King.  Saul protested that everything was done with the best of intentions.  He claimed that others had saved the best of the sheep and cattle and intended them to be used as sacrifices to God. He even coughed up that the Amalekite king had been captured thinking that would bring credit.  Saul’s felt his action was justified by the long journey and the spoil justified the deviation.  

God does not want your sacrifices (Hosea 6:6). God wants you to know Him and in knowing Him to fear Him and do His commandments. There will come a day when there is a rendezvous between you and God.  In that day, rebuke will come unless you have obeyed.  Anything except specific obedience to God’s command will be unacceptable and inexcusable.  It will be considered rebellion and you might as well engage in witchcraft. You have rejected the word of the Lord and the scripture indicates that God will reject you as well. 

THOUGHT: Is God going to regret raising you up in the position he has given you?

David Thompson