Is God more interested in what you do for him, what great wonders you can perform amongst the crowd or is there something else that would please him more? This is a question we will search the scriptures once again to answer. We will first search scriptures in the Old Testament regarding obedience.
* King Saul *
And Samuel said, Hath 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 hearken than the fat of rams. 1 Samuel 15:22 KJV
In the Old Testament the Lord requested the sacrifice of animals in order to purify themselves, to ask for forgiveness, seek advice from the Lord and many other scenarios. These sacrifices were also only to be performed by the priests and prophets at times. They were a select people who were allowed to do such things. These sacrifices would be considered “acceptable” to God.
Many times before war the king of Israel would seek counsel from the prophets to know what God wanted to do in a circumstance. The prophet would speak to the priests who then would make a sacrifice to God seeking advice if the people of God should engage in war with the enemy. The prophets would have an answer from God and then relay the message to the king. From there they would proceed or stand still according to the Word of the Lord.
When Saul was anointed king he was given an order to kill all the Amalekites, their king, all the people, including infants and every type of livestock. But in this particular instance, King Saul killed everyone except King Agag and also kept the best of the livestock instead. He wanted to use these animals as a sacrifice to God. This was a direct disobedience to what the Lord had initially requested. Because of this disobedience the Lord rejected Saul from being king over Israel.
* Moses *
And the Lord spake to Mose, saying, 8) Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together; thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water; and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shall give the congregation and their beasts drink. Numbers 20:7-8 KJV
In this passage the Lord told Moses to speak to the rock and water would come out to provide drink for everyone including the beasts. But what happened next?
And Moses lifted up his hand and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also. 12) And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them. Numbers 20:12 KJV
As we continue reading in the passage Moses disobeyed God in what he commanded him to do. He was only supposed to speak to the rock not hit it. But unfortunately, because of his anger towards the people murmuring he hit the rock twice. This was the reason he was not allowed to enter the promised land.
* Be Obedient *
If you are wanting to please God the best way to please Him is to obey his word. It can be the “Rhema” word of God which is the spoken word directly from Him, or the “Logos” word of God which is the written word we now know is the Bible. The Lord is seeking whom he can show himself strong through. You are that person He can use when you are obedient.
If you be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the Land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. Isaiah 1:19-20 KJV
The Lord wants obedience from us all. Jesus was obedient to God even up to death. He obeyed the Law of Moses and did every thing God spoke to Him personally. In fact, he was the only one who could obey everything written in the Law as well.
Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered. Hebrews 5:8 KJV
Jesus resisted temptation by being obedient to what God said. Are you willing and being obedient to the Lord no matter what the circumstance or outcome may be? Resist being a participant of rebellion and witchcraft. Be obedient to His Word and His voice and you will see He is with you.
For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king. 1 Samuel 15:23 KJV
As we see from King Saul’s disobedience the Lord saw his act as the sin of witchcraft. Let us not be disobedient in these days to the Lord but obedient sons and daughters of the Most High God. You will see His hand upon you in a mighty way.
* Servant to Whom you Obey *
Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? Romans 6:16 KJV
Whatever you obey you are the servant of that decision. If you obey sin you are obeying death but if you obey the Spirit of God you are the servant of righteousness. Be wise with your decisions, choose to follow the Spirit and obey His word. God has many promises for you and he wants you to inherit them.
