In this passage the Lord gave Saul very specific instructions on what to do when he attacked the city of Amalek, but Saul spared the king and kept the best of the livestock, thus disobeying God. When Samuel asked him why he had not done as the Lord commanded, he replied that he'd saved the fine livestock to sacrifice to God. Verse 22 was Samuel's response. God wanted obedience, not sacrifice. Obedience in itself is a form of reverence and worship to God, but rebellion, verse 23 says, is "as the sin of witchcraft." For Saul's transgression, God rejected Saul's kingship.
I started doing less and less ministry and more and more job hunting. God never gave me peace about it, but I felt the sacrifice of my calling was necessary to help my family. I eventually took a job that, from the first day, caused me extreme physical pain to the point that I lost the ability to climb stairs, suffered extreme joint pain, and even struggled just to walk. No medication I took eased the pain, and I cried out to God asking why I'd had to leave the ministry I loved only to suffer so much trying to do "what was right."
It was then that the Lord reminded me that He'd never called me to do this. I'd done it on my own, trying to meet needs He'd promised to meet and please people who meant well, but were not there when He gave me my divine command. My pain and suffering were a result of my disobedience. My husband and I decided that I would leave the job and return to full-time ministry, where God had told me to be all along.
Whatever God has told you to do, you must do. He who clothes the lillies of the field and feeds the birds of the air will also meet your needs as you walk in obedience to Him. People will talk. They talked about Noah, Moses, and Jesus Himself, but they knew their purpose, and despite everything, they obeyed. God used Noah to ensure that all living things would not be utterly destroyed from the flood, He used Moses to end four hundred years of slavery for the children of Israel, and because of Jesus, the whole world can receive the free gift of salvation. So if they talk about you, well, you're in good company. Obey God. Obey God. Obey God.
Father, forgive me for sometimes doing things that seem good, but are not what You told me to do. Regardless of my intentions, not doing what You said is called "disobedience." Give me the sense to just obey You. You only want what accomplishes my good and Your glory. In Jesus' name, Amen.
