Is your heart right with God?
- Perceive: Samuel was not saying that a sacrifice is unimportant. Instead, he was urging Saul to examine the reasons for making a sacrifice rather than the sacrifice itself. When a person’s heart is not right with God, a sacrifice becomes a hollow ritual. Rebellion and self-importance are severe sins since they comprise far more than being self-governing and single-minded. God’s word equates them with the sins of witchcraft and idolatry, which were punishable by execution.
Practice: Saul started well but ended poorly. Early in his reign, he developed both a rebellious and arrogant lifestyle. It didn’t take long for him to become this way and God finally took away his kingdom thereby giving it to a godlier man. Rebellion against God is perhaps the most severe sin of all because as long as a man rebels, he closes the door to forgiveness and restoration. Forgiven men freely live and freely serve.
Pray: O Lord, my God, forgive me for any rebellion and unwillingness to repent of my sins. Help me see the deceptions of my own heart and keep it right in my walk with You.
This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com
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