Following God’s Plan Requires Obedience

What is the cost of obedience/disobedience and are you willing to pay the price? As Pastor Nathan continued to teach today on God’s vision for our lives and church, he led us through the story of King Saul.

In first Samuel 15, we learned that King Saul’s disobedience to God’s instructions cost him his destiny. Wanting to be like every other nation, the nation of Israel begged God for a king and Saul was chosen. The Amalekites were one of Israel’s most vile and persistent enemies. They hated Israel and wanted to annihilate them. God had instructed King Saul to destroy the Amalekites completely along with all their possessions. Instead, Saul chose partial obedience. In fact, we can see a pattern of disobedience in the life of Saul. (1 Samuel 13:7-14) God spoke to the prophet Samuel revealing Saul’s insubordination and that He was sorry that He had anointed him king. The next morning Samuel went to confront Saul, but he was away from his headquarters. Verse 12 tells us that Saul had gone to Carmel to set up a monument commemorating his victory. This gives us a glimpse into the root of Saul’s disobedience – his pride. When Samuel approached Saul, he immediately greeted him with a blessing and declared cheerfully that he had obeyed the Lord’s command before Samuel could say anything. It was obvious that Saul was attempting to silence his rebuke. Samuel was not so easily fooled. He had heard the voice of God. Samuel could hear the bleating of the sheep and goats as well as the lowing of the oxen. Saul had not obeyed. Instead of repenting for his disobedience, Saul tried to cover it up. He made excuses. He tried to convince Samuel he had good intentions. He wanted to save the best animals to sacrifice to the Lord. When Samuel reiterated what God had commanded, Saul changed his tactics. He blamed his army for his own disobedience. It was only after Saul was told that he had been rejected by the LORD as king of Israel that he attempted to repent. Still bent on saving what was left of his selfish pride, he again shifted the blame and declared he was afraid and did what the people demanded. In the end, his continued disobedience to God cost him his destiny.

What can we learn from the life of Saul? Although his anointing began in humility, he abandoned it for self-promotion. Saul wanted to be praised for his great victory. He wanted to parade the spoils through the streets along with King Agag who was kept alive. He wanted the trophies and the political prestige rather than God’s favor and lifting. Saul lied. He never intended to sacrifice the animals to the Lord. He wanted to cover his shame by appearing holy. He wanted the people’s approval over what God had said to do. It cost him dearly.

What does obedience look like for believers in Jesus Christ?

1. Obedience to God has nothing to do with outward persuasion or opinion. It is an inward decision based on a holy conviction. In other words, obedience is between you and God.

2. Obedience is rarely the popular choice. Not everyone will understand or be pleased with your decision to obey and follow God. It takes godly character to submit to God and do what is right. God will back you up.

3. Obedience is not rewarded with self-gratifying trophies or accolades, but a future with on-time supernatural blessings from the hand of the LORD.

4. Obedience to God will seem to cost you immediately, but continual disobedience will cost you your destiny. On the other hand, whatever you may seem to lose by obedience, God will reward you one hundred-fold. (Mark 10:29-30)

5. It takes humility to obey the commands of God. (James 4:6). Obedience allows God to be our promoter, not ourselves. (Psalm 75:6-7, 1 Peter 5:6)

6. King Saul had Samuel, the prophet, to guide him. We have God’s Word and His Holy Spirit to follow His commands. (Ezekiel 36:26-27, John 14:15, Romans 8:14)

7. Disobedience refuses to swallow its pride. It will use any excuse to save itself, but in the end it will fall. (Proverbs 16:18-19)

8. Disobedience is sin. It is on the same side as rebellion, witchcraft, stubbornness and idolatry. (1 Samuel 15:22-23)

9. Obedience is an opportunity for you to trust God and God to trust you. If God can trust you, He can use you to build His Kingdom.

10. Obedience requires important decision making. Life doesn’t have to be difficult if we purpose in our heart to choose to obey God in every circumstance. If we don’t, we leave the door open for devil to persuade us to compromise.

Deuteronomy 30:19-20 clearly outlines our choices. God desires that we choose obedience, life over death, blessing over cursing. We can never reach our promised land through disobedience, and we cannot live our lives riding the fence. We must obey God no matter what it costs us. In the end, Saul was replaced by David. David wasn’t a perfect man, but he was quick to repent, a man after God’s own heart. Let us be that one who echoes the words of Joshua. “But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15) Let us choose to obey God no matter what it costs, for truly obedience is better than sacrifice.