May 14

1 Samuel 15:1-16:23, John 8:1-20, Psalm 110:1-7, Proverbs 15:8-10

Pray: Saul pleads for forgiveness because he was “afraid of the people and did what they demanded” (1 Samuel 15:24). How many times I have been guilty of such a thing. I give in to what people want rather than staying true to what God wants. Today, let’s go together to the Lord in prayer seeking His forgiveness for listening to people rather than Him. Then, let’s commit to hearing His voice above all other voices. Lastly, having heard the voice of the Lord, let us ask for strength to obey.

Read: The difference is amazing, isn’t it? When you compare Samuel to Saul, there’s very little comparison to actually be made. Samuel listens and obeys the Lord. Saul listens to Samuel and engages in a paraphrase of God’s commands. Saul does some of what Samuel instructs, but then branches out on his own. The result is quite tragic for Saul, and agonizing for Samuel. If I were to pattern my life after one of these guys, I think I know which one I’d choose.

Edify: Why didn’t they bring the man? A woman could not be guilty of adultery without a man. Scripture even says she was caught, “in the act.” Yet, we have no mention of the man. Was he prominent, so they let him go to avoid embarrassment? Did he promise to never do it again? Did they even care about catching either one, but really only wanted to trap Jesus? The last question probably gets more to the truth than the others. Still, it has always bothered me that this woman, though certainly guilty of her sin, is singled out, while the guy walks away. We like to think we are more like Jesus than we are the Pharisees. It’s mostly wishful thinking. We point out the “welfare abuser” but ignore the greed in our hearts. We demonize the political party opposite ours, but never call out the sin in our camp. We point fingers at the sins of others, but are perfectly content with our own. Imagine Jesus standing in front of us and then He stoops down and writes in the sand. We can read His words. What is He writing to you?

Practice: If you recall a few months ago, sacrificial offerings were established as a part of the worship of the Lord. They’re not unimportant. They were commanded by God. The people were given very clear instructions about sacrificial offerings. It could almost seem that the offerings were the most important thing that the people of God could do. Almost. Then, Samuel confronts Saul, who was about to make an offering to the Lord. “What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to His voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams” (1 Samuel 15:22). You can make offerings without being obedient, but you can’t be obedient without making sacrificial offerings. One is a product of the other. Samuel knew this. Saul did not. God wants our obedience. Then, when we practice obedience, all the other things will naturally flow from that place.