Day 6

GOD'S WAY OR MINE?

"And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the Lord: I have performed the commandment of the Lord." 1 Sam. 15:13

Rita had been learning to drive a car for months and at last she was due to take her test. If she passed she would be able to drive to and from work and visit her friends more easily. She felt both nervous and excited as she tried to remember all the instructions her teacher had given to her.

The test went very well to begun with. Then she stopped at a pedestrian crossing and waited for a small boy to cross. He didn't move and she became nervous as the wait grew longer. Finally she used one finger of her right hand, as she held the steering wheel, to motion to the child to cross. It was so silly; inside her head she heard the teacher's voice very clearly "don't ever signal to pedestrians or other motorists, you could cause an accident. Let them decide for themselves." Still her one finger signalled. "It can't hurt to help him" she reasoned, "I've been here so long."

At the end of the test the report was handed to her - "Failed - reason: signalling to a pedestrian while waiting at a crossing." She knew the rule, she broke it and paid the price.

Saul had had explicit instructions from God several times and had instead done things his own way. Not only had he been disobedient but he had misrepresented God. He owed his crown to God but he forgot that and began to act independently from the one to whom he should have given absolute allegiance.

Read the verses describing Lucifer - the leading angle created by God who came to regard himself too highly Isaiah 14:12-20. Sadly the same story was repeated in the first human family Genesis 4:2-16. What about today? Is this still a temptation for modern men and women?

How important is obedience? Consider the implications of Judges 21:25 and compare this with Jesus' words in John 14:15,21 & 15:10. Could we say that obedience is the demonstration of love?

Father, help me to demonstrate my love for you in every area of my life.