Excuses
Toni Smothers
Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 15:1-9
Click here to read the scripture
Scripture Quote: “When the LORD your God gives you rest from all the enemies around you in the land he is giving you to possess as an inheritance, you shall blot out the name of Amalek from under heaven. Do not forget!” Deuteronomy 25:19 (NIV)
God entrusted Saul, by way of Samuel, with the fulfillment of God's command to completely destroy the Amalekites and everything that belonged to them because of the sneaky attack they made on the Israelite stragglers coming out of Egypt. But Saul’s men desired to keep the best of the livestock, so Saul did not follow God's instructions entirely. Later, when he was trying to make an acceptable excuse for his disobedience, Saul told Samuel that they would sacrifice the animals to God at Gilgal. But which can we expect that God would prefer, burnt offerings or obedience?
Instead of confessing our sin, don't we also try to make an excuse for them sometimes? It is disobedient to rationalize sinful actions. Saul wasn’t truly repentant, so he was deprived of his reign as king. There are always consequences for sin - Making excuses to God, who knows all our true motives already, is pretty ridiculous. Repentance and obedience are required behaviors for followers of Jesus and gain us tremendous peace and joy. God always forgives a repentant sinner.
Today’s meditation: Walk the narrow path without any need for excuses.
Memory Verse: “The LORD will establish you as his holy people, as he promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the LORD your God and walk in obedience to him.” Deuteronomy 28:9 (NIV)
Toni Smothers
Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 15:1-9
Click here to read the scripture
Scripture Quote: “When the LORD your God gives you rest from all the enemies around you in the land he is giving you to possess as an inheritance, you shall blot out the name of Amalek from under heaven. Do not forget!” Deuteronomy 25:19 (NIV)
God entrusted Saul, by way of Samuel, with the fulfillment of God's command to completely destroy the Amalekites and everything that belonged to them because of the sneaky attack they made on the Israelite stragglers coming out of Egypt. But Saul’s men desired to keep the best of the livestock, so Saul did not follow God's instructions entirely. Later, when he was trying to make an acceptable excuse for his disobedience, Saul told Samuel that they would sacrifice the animals to God at Gilgal. But which can we expect that God would prefer, burnt offerings or obedience?
Instead of confessing our sin, don't we also try to make an excuse for them sometimes? It is disobedient to rationalize sinful actions. Saul wasn’t truly repentant, so he was deprived of his reign as king. There are always consequences for sin - Making excuses to God, who knows all our true motives already, is pretty ridiculous. Repentance and obedience are required behaviors for followers of Jesus and gain us tremendous peace and joy. God always forgives a repentant sinner.
Today’s meditation: Walk the narrow path without any need for excuses.
Memory Verse: “The LORD will establish you as his holy people, as he promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the LORD your God and walk in obedience to him.” Deuteronomy 28:9 (NIV)
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