DCLM Daily Manna 9th October 2024 Devotional Message Written By Pastor W.F Kumuyi
TOPIC: Obedience, Not Sacrifice
SCRIPTURE READING: 1 SAMUEL 15:20-23
KEY VERSE: “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” (1 Samuel 15:22).
Roger Staubach, who led the Dallas Cowboys to the World Championship in 1971, admitted that his position as a quarterback who did not call his own signals was a source of trial for him. His coach sent in every play. He told Roger when to pass, when to run and only in emergency situations could he change the play. Though he considered the coach to have a “genius mind” when it came to football strategy, pride counselled him to run his own team.
Roger later said, “I faced up to the issue of obedience. Once I learned to obey, there was harmony, fulfilment, and victory.”King Saul had received command from God on how to deal with Amalek (1 Samuel 15:1-3).
Although the instructions were very vivid and simple, his depraved heart led him to deviate from absolute conformity with God’s command, and gratify his personal desires, instead. On sighting Prophet Samuel, Saul quickly welcomed him with deceptive words, claiming, “I have obeyed the voice of the LORD” (1 Samuel 15:20). Saul hoped to please God and Samuel. But this proved to be his undoing.
Sadly, many continue in the same error, hoping to impress God with some religious sacrifices. They are willing to give fat tithes and offerings, donations and gifts to religious leaders and their churches, while living in secret or open sin. But God’s word remains clear: “…obedience is better than sacrifice”!
Every sincere believer, therefore, needs to imbibe “the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia… (who)…first gave their own selves to the Lord” before making material offerings (2 Corinthians 8:1, 5). Until this highest level of obedience to God is demonstrated, nothing can atone for it.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Prompt obedience to God is the pathway to heaven.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: LUKE 17-19
DCLM Daily Manna 9th October 2024 Devotional was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria