Obey First

For many of us that grew up in Sunday School or in Christian homes, this verse is one of the favorite verses that teachers and parents alike love to quote and with good reason. The pretext to this declaration by Samuel was due to the disobedience by King Saul, the man who was anointed King over Israel. God gave him a simple instruction: destroy all the Amalekites (I Sam 15:3); but Saul decided to obey God half way (I Sam 15:8-9, I Sam. 15:15), which is the same as disobedience/stubbornness (I Sam. 15:23), and ended up been rejected as King.

When we are given instructions, it is tempting to think you know a better way to do it meanwhile all that is expected of you is to obey and carry out to the last what you were told. This struck me even more while I was doing my devotional on the YouVersion Story of the day. The devotional plan is titled Jehovah Jireh and one of the devotions for the day (which was used in the Story) referenced Gen. 22:2. In this verse, God gave Abraham very specific instructions: 1. Take your son and offer him as burnt offering. 2. Go to the land of Moriah. 3. Go to the exact mountain I tell you. 4. Offer him as burnt offering there. Abraham obeyed God’s instructions to the last letter and God not only spared his son, He also provided the animal to be used as burnt offering (Gen. 22:14). It was on this day the name Jehovah Jireh (the Lord Will Provide) was coined.

When you compare and contrast the experience of Saul and Abraham, one will gain an understanding of why teachers and parents constantly tell children it is better to obey. Saul obeyed God halfway (which is the same as disobedience) and he lost his kingdom (I Sam. 15:28). Abraham on the other hand obeyed God down to the last and God not only provided (Gen. 22:14), He swore on Himself to bless and multiply Abraham and his descendants (Gen. 22:16-18). Fast forward to the Hall of Faith (Heb. 11) and you will notice that Abraham was recorded as one of the Heroes of Faith (Heb. 11:8-10) while Saul eventually lost his kingdom to David, while he was still alive. And you can imagine the shame Saul felt for the rest of his life. 

As we go into a new week, the charge is to obey God in all circumstances. It may not be simple to carry out but still do it nonetheless. Part of obeying God is having faith and trust in the fact that He knows better and His ways and plans are better. Like Pst. Joel Osteen says, pass the test; like Abraham did (Gen. 22:16). This is also applicable in the workplace. When your line manager gives you a task, obey it to the last instruction; if you have another way to do it, align with them first before you carry it out. Have a great week ahead!