08/10/2025
*DAILY ENCOUNTER WITH GOD (NBC)*
*WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2025*
*TO OBEY IS BETER THAN SACRIFICE*
*BH 266: Standing on the Promises*
1. Standing on the promises of Christ my king,
Thro’ eternal ages let His praises ring;
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing, standing,
Standing on the promises of God my savior;
Standing, standing,
I’m standing on the promises of God.
2. Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
When the howling storms of doubt and
fear assail,
By the living word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God.
3. Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,
Bound to Him eternaly by love’s strong cord,
Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s Sword, Standing on the promises of God.
4. Standing on the promises I cannot fail,
Listening every moment to the Spirit’s call,
Resting in my Saviour as my all in all,
Standing on the promises of God.
*Memory verse:* 'But Samuel replied: 'Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams" 1 Samuel 15:22, NIV
*Text: 1 Samuel 15: 20-26*
[20] “But I did obey the Lord,” Saul said. “I went on the mission the Lord assigned me. I completely destroyed the Amalekites and brought back Agag their king.
[21] The soldiers took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of what was devoted to God, in order to sacrifice them to the Lord your God at Gilgal.”
[22] But Samuel replied: “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.
[23] For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.”
[24] Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned. I violated the Lord’s command and your instructions. I was afraid of the men and so I gave in to them.
[25] Now I beg you, forgive my sin and come back with me, so that I may worship the Lord.”
[26] But Samuel said to him, “I will not go back with you. You have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you as king over Israel!”
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Chuck Swindoll tells about his encounter with General Charles M. Duke, a former astronaut 'who went on the Apollo 16 mission to the moon.
I asked, "Once you were there, weren't you free to make your own decisions and carry out your own experiments?" He smiled and said, “sure, if didn't want to return to earth!"
He went on to describe the intricate plan, the precise instructions, the essential discipline, and the instant obedience that was needed right down to the second.
He explained how they landed with sixty seconds of fuel remaining. Chuck said, I got the distinct impression that a rebel doesn't fit inside a space suit."
God instructed Saul through prophet Samuel to destroy the Amalekites, but Saul decided to preserve the king and some animals.
God sent prophet Samuel back to king Saul to declare judgement upon him for his act of disobedience and rebellion.
Samuel told Saul that God value obedience over sacrifice. He then told Saul that because he rejected the instructions of God, God has also rejected him as king over His people.
By this act of disobedience, Saul lost God's support, presence and blessings. He also lost the kingdom of Israel.
Today, many Christians increase their offering and seed, while disobeying God's command. God will not overlook disobedience because we give unwarranted sacrifices.
God seeks those who will obey Him implicitly, not those who bring expensive sacrifices to atone for deliberate disobedience.
God demands complete, not partial, obedience to His Word. Believers must take God's words as sacred, and know that its rejection amounts to resisting God.
Always remember that God values your obedience more than your gifts. The best gift you can give to God is obeying all the words He has spoken to you. To obey God is better than any sacrifice you can give to Him.
*Perceive:* Obedience to God's words or message saves from eternal condemnation.
*Ponder:* How obedient are you to God's instructions?
*Practise:* Ask for a receptive heart to God's instructions and voice.
*Pray:* Father, give me an obedient spirit, help me to obey Your command.
*Prayer:* Lord, because I love Your law, I will have great peace, and nothing shall by any means cause me to stumble.
*Pray for these ordained ministers and members of their churches:* Oladapo Abel, Ogbomoso; Odunayo A. O., Ogbomoso; Eeboade T.E., Oyo; Adedayo Ojo, Koroduma; Stephen Pawpen, Danfulani; Nathan G.E., Omoku; Olatunde Festus I., Kosofe; Odetunmbi F. E., Niger; Sidi I. M., Kaduna; Oluwoye J. Olajire, Osun; Andrew Gumap, Kaduna; Hanhan Peter, Plateau; Innocent Gakan, Gongola; Idowu Oluwafemi O., Lagos; Farayola S. Babatunde, Osogbo; Miller Patricia T., Obinze.
*RBT: Matthew 18-20*