09/06/2026
"OBEDIENCE IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE"
(Partial obedience is still disobedience)
(1 Samuel 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.)
This verse simply means that God values genuine obedience to His commands far more than outward religious rituals or sacrifices.
*Our Heart Condition: Outward traditions, church attendance, or monetary offerings mean nothing to God if our heart is rebellious or refusing to follow His commands. (Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?); (Psalms 119:2,11 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.); (Mark 7:21-23 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.); (Mark 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.) And (Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.)
*Partial Obedience is Disobedience: Saul thought he was doing good by keeping the animals for a holy purpose, but altering God's instructions to fit his own preferences was still rebellion. (Isaiah 1:19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:); (Psalms 119:10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.); (Luke 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?); (John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.) And (James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.)
Remember, submitting to God's instructions is more pleasing to Him than religious performances. Sacrifice now is giving God what we think is best, while obedience is giving God what He actually asks for.✨️
Beloved, be encouraged in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ ✝️