I have recently been reading through the book of 1 Samuel. I came across a story in chapter 15. The Lord had spoken and declared that the Saul was to go in to Amalek, and devote everything to destruction. Amalek had opposed Israel, as God had led them out of Egypt. Therefore, God said nothing was to be taken from the city and kept, but everything was to be destroyed. So Saul went in and destroyed everything but the king, whose name was Agag, and all of the best sheep, oxen, calves, and lambs.
The Lord became very angry with Saul, and let it be known to Samuel. Samuel approached Saul to tell him what the Lord had said, and that the Lord was very angry. Saul replied by saying that the livestock was taken in order to make sacrifices to God. He tried justifying his sin. Samuel then said, “to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams” (1 Sam. 15:22).
This story and those words spoken by the prophet Samuel is very convicting. We, as fallen people, sin. Even after we are saved by the grace of God, we still sin. Sometimes, we brush it off and try to justify the sins we commit. There are many who steal or lie, and they may say it was to feed or provide for their family. We do sinful things, then we try to find some excuse, thinking maybe God will forget about it.
God does not call us to wealth or success, he calls us to obedience. Following His Word, doing what he commands of us is better than the biggest check you could ever write. May we quit making excuses for our sins, and obey the Word of God. Yes, there will be times that we fall short, and there is forgiveness in Jesus. That does not free us from obedience. Sin destroys. May we make war against our sin. John Owen once said, “Be killing it or it will be killing you.” The way to kill sin is to obey God.