“Why did you rush to grab the loot, and so do what displeases the Lord?”
The list is long of those that fall victim to the love of money: Laban (Genesis 24:29-30), Achan (Joshua 7:20-21), Gehazi (2 Kings 5:20-27), Judas (Matthew 26:14-16), Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11), … Others fall victim to the love of pleasure / sexe (Proverbs 7:6-23). It is so important that we vigilantly guard our hearts against all the desires that pull on us (Matthew 13:18-23). May I remain ever vigilant, Father, ever attentive to your word (Hebrews 12:25).
“I did obey the Lord,” Saul replied. “I went out as he told me to… But…”
It’s the “but” that’s fatal… May there never be any “but” in my obedience to you, Lord.
“…my men did not kill the best sheep and cattle that they captured; instead, they brought them here to Gilgal to offer as a sacrifice to the Lord your God.”
Greed hiding behind the appearance of religious devotion. How we so need to “search the minds and test the hearts” (Jeremiah 17:10)! Help me to see behond appearances, Father – to take the time to reflect and consider before responding.
Samuel said, “Which does the Lord prefer: obedience or offerings and sacrifices? It is better to obey him than to sacrifice the best sheep to him.”
Think of all the pages and pages of rules that concern Old Testament sacrifices (Leviticus 1 – 7)… How we need to look beyond what lies on the surface (Psalm 51:16-17). Getting caught up in religion and religious practices runs the risk of it becoming a cover for evil or even replacing God himself (Luke 6:6-11).