We are given the story of Saul who thought he knew better than God. Rather than destroying what God told him to destroy, he kept. He spared Agag, the best sheep, cattle, and all that was good. It failed, because all that Saul kept was despised and weak, anyway. But Samuel ask the question in 1 Samuel 15:22 “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.”
Saul was given specific instructions and he deliberately disobeyed God because he thought God’s instructions were faulty. It wasn’t that he misunderstood. He knew better. Because of this disobedience God had to punish him like any loving father would do.
As parents, we are sometimes faced with a similar situation. We instruct our children with specific directions and they choose an alternative. We then, are obligated to serve them the consequences of disobedience. It can vary from a “time out” chair, to no television, loss of use of computer or cell phone, or a visit to a friend’s home. It usually depends on the significance of the disobedience.
Saul’s punishment was to be great. Samuel, who was the bearer of the news from God, was deeply saddened by Saul’s behavior and grieved that God needed to punish him. Saul was meant to be king and now God was going to withhold that honor. Because Samuel was so saddened by the whole situation, he petitioned God on Saul’s behalf in prayer, that this punishment might be spared.
No one is equal to God. We all make mistakes and are sinful, even as Believers. It is the nature of being human. As Believers, we are forgiven by the blood of Christ when we repent. Sometimes, it’s even a sin we didn’t realize we’d committed, until later. It’s those actions we choose to take, when we know we are in the wrong, that really creates an issue, much like what happened to Saul.
What will the punishment be for my daughter’s friend for her arrogance? I can’t know that, but I am certain God will deal with it. My job, at this point is to petition God, on this person’s behalf that she repents of this belief and that God’s judgment is not greater than she can bear.
God loves us more than we could ever imagine. Yet God’s tolerance toward his people is limited to rules he has given us. It’s up to us not to cross over the line. This was true when His word was written and no less true today.
We will still make mistakes; it’s how we handle those mistakes and whether it was a deliberate act of disobedience that makes the difference. I encourage you to reflect on your behaviors. Sometimes it’s a bad habit we haven’t yet turned over to God. This can be described as deliberate disobedience. We are choosing to continue with something we know is wrong. How, as a parent, if it was your child, would you handle this behavior? How do you think God should respond?
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