Hear And Obey
“Samuel said, ‘Has YHWH as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of YHWH? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams.’“ 1 Samuel 15:22
We, as believers often find ourselves trying to be better “Christians” by conforming to First Testament laws as well as modern church laws and traditions to satisfy our religious obligations. What ever happened to a relationship with the God of the universe, YHWH Himself? Many of us were taught by well meaning pastors and teachers that the “Law” was the first requirement given by God to give us opportunity to draw near to Him. Doing all the sacrifices and ritual ceremonies over and over proved to be impossible to keep, which was YHWH’s plan to start with.
But the “Law” was not the original way to know God. Looking back to the Garden of Eden, it was relationship driven, where Adam and Eve walked with the Father in the cool of the day and enjoyed life the way it was originally intended. Not until their disobedience by eating of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, was there any NEED for law.
So why would we, as believers choose to “work” to gain favor from God, rather than just go to Him as our Father and enjoy His word to us and walk with Him again? So, today as you go about, realize that obedience is NOT a bad word. In fact, obedience is full of life and law is full of death! To obey IS better than sacrifice, as Samuel revealed in the First Testament. Others will respond to you much better if you demonstrate life instead of laying out a bunch of rules to follow. Hear and obey and have a great day!