Obedience over Sacrifice

Israel wanted a king. But their reason for desiring a king was not a good one:  they wanted to be like other nations. Their request to Samuel to anoint a king was a rejection of God, who was their king. Their rejection of God was not something new, their rebellion began right after Moses led the people from Egypt, about 300 years earlier. 1 Samuel 8:6-9.

We (believers who live in the 21st century) are no different from the people who lived 3000 years go. We look at the world around us and either want what the world has to offer, or we want to water down the gospel so that the world will want us. We forget that God called us (believers) to be holy, separate and His special people. 1 Peter 2:9.

As Saul aged, he became arrogant and confident in his own ability and power, and he disobeyed God. Saul forgot that God wants obedience more than sacrifice, 1 Samuel 15:22. Perhaps the saddest words in the Old Testament are found in 1 Samuel 13:13-14. God removed the kingship from Saul. 

How many times has God removed potential blessings from us because we disobeyed him?