APRIL 24.—MORNING. [Or August 15.]“If ye love me, keep my commandments.”

1 SAMUEL 15:1–3; 9–11; 13–23

SAMUEL also said unto Saul, The LORD sent me to anoint thee to be king over his people, over Israel: now therefore hearken thou unto the voice of the words of the LORD.
2 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I remember that which Amalek did to Israel, how he laid wait for him in the way, when he came up from Egypt.
3 Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.
This wandering people had wantonly attacked the Israelites in the desert, in the most cowardly manner, and this national sin had long been registered in God’s book against them. They were moreover a barbarous race of plunderers, most dangerous to their neighbours and to all settled government. The time was come when divine justice required that they should be brought to condign punishment. Saul was therefore sent of God to be the executioner, and was commanded to do his work thoroughly.
9 But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly. (This was half-obedience, which is whole rebellion. Many are ready to slay their disreputable sins, but their fashionable transgressions they cannot give up.)
10 ¶ Then came the word of the LORD unto Samuel, saying,
11 It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night. (The rejection of sinners is a great grief to saints: God has no pleasure in the death of sinners, nor have his people.)
13 And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the LORD: I have performed the commandment of the LORD.
He brags most who has most reason for shame.
14 And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?
15 And Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites: for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed. (He lays his fault upon others, and pleads the good intention of the act. Neither excuse would avail.)
16 Then Samuel said unto Saul, Stay, and I will tell thee what the LORD hath said to me this night. And he said unto him, Say on.
17, 18, 19 And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel? And the LORD sent thee on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed. Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the LORD, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the LORD?
20 And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.
21 But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal.
22 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.
23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
Nothing can compensate for a want of obedience to God’s will. We may pretend great zeal for God’s glory, but wilful neglect of divine commands will condemn us. External religion cannot be a substitute for holiness. Those who pretended to witchcraft were put to death by Saul, but so long as he himself would not do as the Lord bade him, he was as guilty as the witches whom he slew. Idolatry was known to be overt rebellion against Jehovah, but obstinate disregard of his law was quite as evil a form of rebellion. May the Holy Ghost make us scrupulously obedient, for nothing short of this will prove us to be the true servants of the Lord.

Spurgeon, C. H. (1964). The Interpreter: Spurgeon’s Devotional Bible (p. 238). Baker Book House.

MARCH 19 | Obedience Is Better

SCRIPTURE READING: 1 Samuel 15
KEY VERSE: Romans 6:16

Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? (KJV)

Obedience can be a tough command. Saul discovered this, and in 1 Samuel we learn that he failed the test of obedience miserably. As a result of his disobedience, God took steps to remove him from Israel’s throne. The Lord commanded sacrifices to be done a certain way. Yet Saul disobeyed God’s instruction, citing the fact that he was afraid of the people.
Peer pressure is deadly and tempts us to turn from what is right. In addressing Saul’s error, the prophet Samuel told him: “To obey is better than sacrifice.”
Oswald Chambers affirmed, “It is a great deal better to fulfill the purpose of God in your life by discerning His will than to perform great acts of sacrifice.”
It was extremely important for Saul to remain true to the Lord’s commands and not compromise his life before God. Each of us will be tested just as Saul was. You may not be a king or a ruler, but you are a child of God. And He demands obedience. To settle for anything less is to miss His will.
Many think they can compromise their lives with sin, and nothing will happen. But sin carries with it horrendous consequences.
God knows the temptation you are facing has the power to destroy your life. But He has provided a greater way of escape through His Word and the power of His Holy Spirit. Cry out to Him. He is your Defender.

Forgive me, Lord, for disobeying You. I cry out to You. You are my Defender.

Stanley, C. F. (2002). Seeking His face (p. 82). Thomas Nelson Publishers.

FEBRUARY 26 | Benefits of Obedience

SCRIPTURE READING: Psalm 119:1–8
KEY VERSE: 1 Samuel 15:22

       Then Samuel said:
       “Has 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 heed than the fat of rams.”

Have you ever considered the benefits of obedience? Being accountable to authority is a topic that is usually spoken of in terms of negative consequences, but obeying the Lord brings a wealth of blessing:
A growing faith. Obedience is a step-by-step process, beginning with the little things. When you say yes to God in personal, daily matters, you see how He takes care of the issues and consequences that arise. Obedience in more difficult situations becomes easier and less of a struggle because you already have a foundation of faith on which to build.
A positive impact on others. Others are watching your behavior, whether you realize it or not. They want to see a difference in your life; they are eager to see the results of living for the Lord. The fruit of the Spirit that God produces in you brings a rich harvest for His kingdom as it blesses others.
A sense of security. Your reasons for worry and anxiety are rendered null and void. When you trust God to take care of you, you do not have to worry about negative response or failure or lack of support.
Then you will say with the psalmist:

Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law;
Indeed, I shall obey it with my whole heart.
Make me walk in the path of Your commandments,
For I delight in it. (Ps. 119:34–35)

Lord, give me understanding, and I will keep Your law and obey it with my whole heart. Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, for there I find delight.

Stanley, C. F. (2000). Into His presence (p. 59). Thomas Nelson Publishers.

JANUARY 20 | Obeying in Faith

SCRIPTURE READING: Luke 5:1–11
KEY VERSE: Luke 5:5

Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.”

Jesus was speaking to a group gathered along the shores of Galilee. When He finished, He turned to Peter and told him to raise the boat’s sails, head back out into the open water, and lower his nets for a large catch of fish.
Tired and wishing only for a few hours of rest, Peter seemed to hesitate. Did Jesus know what He was requesting? Everyone there knew the best time for fishing—especially with nets—was at night; the worst time was during the day.
Peter tried to reason: “Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing.” But Jesus remained firm: “Let down your nets for a catch” (Luke 5:4–5 NASB).
Every time we are called to obey God, our faith is challenged and our true nature revealed. The miracle of the tremendous quantity of fish was the result of Peter’s willingness to trust and obey Christ by faith. In obedience he replied, “At Your bidding I will let down the nets” (Luke 5:5 NASB).
When our hearts are set on obedience, God responds mightily. There will be moments in life when you may ask, “Lord, is this a matter of obedience?” If so, choose to obey in faith, then “let down your nets” and prepare for a tremendous blessing.

Lord, I set my heart this day to obey Your Word. As I move forward in obedience, I am “letting down my nets” spiritually and preparing for a tremendous blessing. I know it is coming, so thank You in advance!

Stanley, C. F. (1999). On holy ground (p. 21). Thomas Nelson Publishers.

JANUARY 19 | KNOWN BY OBEDIENCE

According to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith.

ROMANS 16:26

Did you know it’s not faith plus obedience that equals salvation, but obedient faith that equals salvation? True faith is verified in your obedience to God.
Because Jesus is Lord, He demands obedience. There is no faith without obedience. Paul said to the Roman Christians, “I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world” (Rom. 1:8). And why was their faith spoken of throughout the world? Romans 16:19 explains: “Your obedience has become known to all.” In the beginning, it is your faith that is spread abroad, but in the end it is your obedience.
Faith that excludes obedience won’t save anyone. The delusion that it will causes many people to take the broad road that leads to destruction (Matt. 7:13–14). That’s like building a religious super–structure on sand (Matt. 7:21–29).
Build your life in obedience to Christ. Then you’ll know that you belong to Him.

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : a daily touch of God’s grace (p. 30). J. Countryman.

January 12 | GOD’S GOALS, GOD’S METHODS

SCRIPTURE READING:
1 Samuel 15
KEY VERSE:
1 Samuel 15:22

     Samuel said:

“Has 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 heed than the fat of rams.”

Saul wanted to be a good king who ruled fairly and followed the ways of God. However, his motives were not pure. And for the most part, the flaw went undetected until he was faced with a tremendous decision.
God had told him to completely destroy the Amalekites in battle. They had ruthlessly pursued Israel after the Exodus, killing the weak and disabled, and God never forgot the evil they committed against His people.
Saul complied with the Lord’s command and headed into battle. However, once the dust settled, he decided to spare the Amalekite king, his strongest fighting men, and the best of his sheep and oxen.
Saul tried in vain to convince Samuel that he had obeyed God by saving the best of the spoils as a sacrifice. But it was not obedience that motivated Saul; it was pride, and that cost him his throne.
Partial obedience is not obedience; it is disobedience, and there is never an excuse for it in the eyes of God. Whatever goal God has placed before you, He has a method in mind for you to follow in achieving it. Ask Him to give you His wisdom so that you may accomplish the goal perfectly, completely—and most important—obediently.

Total obedience—that is what I want in my life, Father. Reveal Your purposes to me, then give me the wisdom to accomplish Your plans perfectly, completely, and obediently.

Stanley, C. F. (1998). Enter His gates: a daily devotional. Thomas Nelson Publishers.

January 11th | What my obedience to God costs other people

They laid hold upon one Simon, … and on him they laid the cross Luke 23:26.

If we obey God it is going to cost other people more than it costs us, and that is where the sting comes in. If we are in love with our Lord, obedience does not cost us anything, it is a delight, but it costs those who do not love Him a good deal. If we obey God it will mean that other people’s plans are upset, and they will gibe us with it—‘You call this Christianity?’ We can prevent the suffering; but if we are going to obey God, we must not prevent it, we must let the cost be paid.
Our human pride entrenches itself on this point, and we say—‘I will never accept anything from anyone.’ We shall have to, or disobey God. We have no right to expect to be in any other relation than our Lord Himself was in (see Luke 8:2–3 ).
Stagnation in spiritual life comes when we say we will bear the whole thing ourselves. We cannot. We are so involved in the universal purposes of God that immediately we obey God, others are affected. Are we going to remain loyal in our obedience to God and go through the humiliation of refusing to be independent, or are we going to take the other line and say—‘I will not cost other people suffering’? We can disobey God if we choose, and it will bring immediate relief to the situation, but we shall be a grief to our Lord. Whereas if we obey God, He will look after those who have been pressed into the consequences of our obedience. We have simply to obey and to leave all consequences with Him.
Beware of the inclination to dictate to God as to what you will allow to happen if you obey Him.

Chambers, O. (1986). My utmost for his highest: Selections for the year. Oswald Chambers Publications; Marshall Pickering.

16 november (1856) | God’s barriers against man’s sin

“Fear ye not me? saith the Lord: will ye not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it: and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it? But this people hath a revolting and rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone.” Jeremiah 5:22–23

suggested further reading: Isaiah 1:1–4

God here contrasts the obedience of the strong, the mighty, the untamed sea, with the rebellious character of his own people. “The sea,” saith he, “obeys me; it never breaks its boundary; it never leaps from its channel; it obeys me in all its movements. But man, poor puny man, the little creature whom I could crush as the moth, will not be obedient to me. The sea obeys me from shore to shore, without reluctance, and its ebbing floods, as they retire from its bed, each of them says to me, in the voices of the pebbles, ‘O Lord, we are obedient to thee, for thou art our master.’ But my people”, says God, “are a revolting and a rebellious people; they go astray from me.” And is it not, my brethren, a marvellous thing, that the whole earth is obedient to God, save man? Even the mighty leviathan, who maketh the deep to be hoary, sinneth not against God, but his course is ordered according to his Almighty Master’s decree. Stars, those wondrous masses of light, are easily directed by the very wish of God; clouds, though they seem erratic in their movement, have God for their pilot; “he maketh the clouds his chariot;” and the winds, though they seem restive beyond control, yet do they blow, or cease to blow just as God wills. In heaven, on earth, even in the lower regions, we could scarcely find such a disobedience as that which is practised by man; at least, in heaven, there is a cheerful obedience; and in hell there is constrained submission to God, while on earth man makes the base exception, he is continually revolting and rebelling against his Maker.

for meditation: Jonah, a great wind, a great fish, a plant, a worm, an east wind (Jonah 1:3, 4, 17; 2:10; 4:6–8)—which is the odd one out?

Answer: God’s servant Jonah—the rest obeyed God at once. This should humble us!

sermon no. 220¹

---

¹  Spurgeon, C. H., & Crosby, T. P. (1998). 365 Days with Spurgeon (Volume 1) (p. 327). Day One Publications.

November 8 | Submitting to Wisdom

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments.”

Psalm 111:10

✧✧✧

Saving faith is obedient faith.

The wisdom of God resulting from the fear of the Lord leads to obedience. When we fear the Lord, we submit to His wisdom and commit ourselves to keeping His commandments. In the New Testament Jesus said the same thing: “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15). We aren’t always as obedient as we ought to be, but the pattern of our lives turns from disobedience to a submissive heart of obedience. First John 2:3 says, “By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments.” A person’s claim to be a Christian is meaningless if he’s not obedient.

From a positive perspective, fearing the Lord involves obeying His commandments; from a negative perspective, it involves turning away from evil. Job 28:28 says, “The fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.” Equal to wisdom is understanding, and equal to fearing the Lord is departing from evil. Proverbs 8:13 says, “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil.” Obeying the Lord’s commandments and shunning evil are dynamics that work in the soul of one who truly fears God. The fear of the Lord is not some feeling you try to generate within yourself; it’s the result of believing in the true God and living a life of love and obedience to Him. What about you? Does obedience to God’s Word characterize your life?

✧✧✧

Suggestions for Prayer: Jesus Christ paid the price for your sin and ushered you into a relationship with God. Honor His work by obeying His Word, and ask Him to help you see evil from His perspective.

For Further Study: Read the following verses: Deuteronomy 6:1–2, 13–15, 24; 8:6; 10:12–13; 13:4; 17:19; 28:58–59; 31:12. What characterizes the life of a person who fears the Lord?¹

---

¹  MacArthur, J. (1997). Strength for today. Crossway Books.

OCTOBER 24 | POSTPONING OBEDIENCE

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved. 

Acts 16:31

A notable heresy has come into being throughout our evangelical Christian circles—the widely accepted concept that we humans can choose to accept Christ only because we need Him as Savior, and that we have the right to postpone our obedience to Him as long as we want to!

The truth is that salvation apart from obedience is unknown in the sacred Scriptures. Peter makes it plain that we are “elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience” (1 Peter 1:2).

It seems most important to me that Peter speaks of his fellow Christians as “obedient children” (vs. 14). He knew their spirituality—he was not just giving them an exhortation to be obedient.

The entire Bible teaches that true obedience to God and His Christ is one of the toughest requirements in the Christian life. Actually, salvation without obedience is a self-contradicting impossibility!

Humans do not want to admit it, but the Apostle Paul wrote to the Romans long ago that “by one man’s disobedience” came the downfall of the human race (see Romans 5:19).

Dear Lord, I pray today for all the “nominal” Christians in our churches who are straddling the fence of faith. I pray that Your Spirit will impress upon them the need to become fully devoted followers of Christ who will become actively engaged in the battle for men’s souls.¹

---

¹  Tozer, A. W. (2015). Mornings with tozer: daily devotional readings. Moody Publishers.

October 10th | Whereby shall I know?

I thank Thee, O Father, … because Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Matthew 11:25.

In spiritual relationships we do not grow step by step, we are either there or we are not. God does not cleanse us more and more from sin, but when we are in the light, walking in the light, we are cleansed from all sin. It is a question of obedience, and instantly the relationship is perfected. Turn away for one second out of obedience, and darkness and death are at work at once.

All God’s revelations are sealed until they are opened to us by obedience. You will never get them open by philosophy or thinking. Immediately you obey, a flash of light comes. Let God’s truth work in you by soaking in it, not by worrying into it. The only way you can get to know is to stop trying to find out and by being born again. Obey God in the thing He shows you, and instantly the next thing is opened up. We read tomes on the work of the Holy Spirit, when one five minutes of drastic obedience would make things as clear as a sunbeam. ‘I suppose I shall understand these things some day!’ You can understand them now. It is not study that does it, but obedience. The tiniest fragment of obedience, and heaven opens and the profoundest truths of God are yours straight away. God will never reveal more truth about Himself until you have obeyed what you know already. Beware of becoming “wise and prudent.”¹

---

¹  Chambers, O. (1986). My utmost for his highest: Selections for the year. Oswald Chambers Publications; Marshall Pickering.

Morning, October 8 | “Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.”

—Luke 5:4

We learn from this narrative, the necessity of human agency. The draught of fishes was miraculous, yet neither the fisherman nor his boat, nor his fishing tackle were ignored; but all were used to take the fishes. So in the saving of souls, God worketh by means; and while the present economy of grace shall stand, God will be pleased by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. When God worketh without instruments, doubtless he is glorified; but he hath himself selected the plan of instrumentality as being that by which he is most magnified in the earth. Means of themselves are utterly unavailing. “Master, we have toiled all the night and have taken nothing.” What was the reason of this? Were they not fishermen plying their special calling? Verily, they were no raw hands; they understood the work. Had they gone about the toil unskilfully? No. Had they lacked industry? No, they had toiled. Had they lacked perseverance? No, they had toiled all the night. Was there a deficiency of fish in the sea? Certainly not, for as soon as the Master came, they swam to the net in shoals. What, then, is the reason? Is it because there is no power in the means of themselves apart from the presence of Jesus? “Without him we can do nothing.” But with Christ we can do all things. Christ’s presence confers success. Jesus sat in Peter’s boat, and his will, by a mysterious influence, drew the fish to the net. When Jesus is lifted up in his Church, his presence is the Church’s power—the shout of a king is in the midst of her. “I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto me.” Let us go out this morning on our work of soul fishing, looking up in faith, and around us in solemn anxiety. Let us toil till night comes, and we shall not labour in vain, for he who bids us let down the net, will fill it with fishes.¹

---

¹  Spurgeon, C. H. (1896). Morning and evening: Daily readings. Passmore & Alabaster.

September 30: The Risk of Obeying God

Scripture Reading: Luke 5:1–11

Key Verse: Luke 5:4

When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”

Once Jesus finished speaking to the crowd from the bow of Peter’s boat, He turned to the brawny fisherman and said, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for the catch of a lifetime.”

The idea seemed intriguing to Peter, but was it plausible? He was a leader, a man others turned to for wisdom concerning the sea. Jesus’ request appeared preposterous, if not crazy. No one fished in the Sea of Galilee during the daytime. Fishing was done at night and in shallow water.

Yet Peter obediently responded, “Master … at Your bidding I will let down the nets” (Luke 5:5 nasb). Disregarding the questionable looks of his peers, Peter raised the ship’s sails and headed out into deep water. The result of his obedience was a great abundance of fish, so many that the nets began to break and the boat began to sink.

What has God placed His finger on in your life that requires you to launch out into the deep? Is it a new job, a relationship that needs healing, an unmet goal?

Peter wasn’t alone in the boat, and neither are you. Jesus sailed out there with him. So raise the sails of your life, put out into the deep, and prepare for a huge catch!

Dear heavenly Father, I know there are risks, but I am ready. I am willing to leave my comfort zone. I am raising the sails of my life, launching out into the deep, and preparing for a huge catch.¹

---

¹  Stanley, C. F. (1999). On holy ground (p. 285). Thomas Nelson Publishers.

September 28 Obeying Out of Love

The purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart.

1 Timothy 1:5

The keeping of a commandment should flow from a heart of love. It’s possible to obey the law out of fear and to be afraid of God’s punishment. But when you do that, you don’t really obey the law in the fullest sense because fear is not the biblical motive for obedience. Fear will restrain you from some evil and its effect can be somewhat productive, but its result is incomplete.

Some keep the law out of self–interest. They believe that if they live a moral life, God will repay them. But that is not a pure motive for obedience—it’s a selfish one. Although you may restrain yourself from evil and do good things outwardly, you won’t have an obedience that comes from an attitude of love. The true intention of the law is to cultivate love from the heart. That’s how the law is fulfilled.¹

---

¹  MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : a daily touch of God’s grace (p. 293). J. Countryman.