TOTAL OBEDIENCE.

TEXT: I Samuel 13:5-23

[5]Then the Philistines gathered together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the seashore in multitude. And they came up and encamped in Michmash, to the east of Beth Aven.

[6]When the men of Israel saw that they were in danger (for the people were distressed), then the people hid in caves, in thickets, in rocks, in holes, and in pits.

[7]And some of the Hebrews crossed over the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. As for Saul, he was still in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.

[8]Then he waited seven days, according to the time set by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him.

[9]So Saul said, “Bring a burnt offering and peace offerings here to me.” And he offered the burnt offering.

[10]Now it happened, as soon as he had finished presenting the burnt offering, that Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might greet him.

[11]And Samuel said, “What have you done?” Saul said, “When I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered together at Michmash,

[12] Then I said, ‘The Philistines will now come down on me at Gilgal, and I have not made supplication to the Lord.’ Therefore I felt compelled, and offered a burnt offering.”

[13]And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which He commanded you. For now the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever.

[14]But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be commander over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.”

[15]Then Samuel arose and went up from Gilgal to Gibeah of Benjamin. And Saul numbered the people present with him, about six hundred men. No Weapons for the Army

[16]Saul, Jonathan his son, and the people present with them remained in Gibeah of Benjamin. But the Philistines encamped in Michmash.

[17]Then raiders came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies. One company turned onto the road to Ophrah, to the land of Shual,

[18]another company turned to the road to Beth Horon, and another company turned to the road of the border that overlooks the Valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness.

[19]Now there was no blacksmith to be found throughout all the land of Israel, for the Philistines said, “Lest the Hebrews make swords or spears.”

[20]But all the Israelites would go down to the Philistines to sharpen each man’s plowshare, his mattock, his ax, and his sickle;

[21]and the charge for a sharpening was a pim for the plowshares, the mattocks, the forks, and the axes, and to set the points of the goads.

[22]So it came about, on the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people who were with Saul and Jonathan. But they were found with Saul and Jonathan his son.

[23]And the garrison of the Philistines went out to the pass of Michmash.

STUDY:

In today’s passage, Saul and his army were waiting for Samuel to arrive to offer a sacrifice before going to war. Samuel had not yet come, and the soldiers were preparing to flee rather than fight the Philistines. Growing impatient, Saul chose to offer a sacrifice on his own. Just as Saul finished the sacrifice, Samuel arrived and said, “You have done a foolish thing” (1 Samuel 13:13). Why was offering a sacrifice foolish? Because Saul had disobeyed a direct command from the prophet Samuel given in 1 Samuel 10:8. Many valuable lessons can be learnt from Saul’s situation. God desires our obedience, while patience is often needed to fully follow God’s Word and there are negative consequences when we choose our own way instead of God’s. As youths of today, part of being obedient is showing respect for the word of God and your parents. Don’t ignore your leaders like Saul ignored Samuel. As we learn to obey, we learn to be wise in making our decisions in life. As we learn to obey, we learn to open up our eyes and ears to God’s plan for us.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT:

Obedience is the first step in living a Christian life.

PRAYER:

Dear God, please give me a humble heart to yield to your instructions at all times, so that I can prosper in Christ Jesus! Amen.

Prayer Points:

1. Pray for obedience to God’s Word.
2. Ask for patience to wait on God’s timing.
3. Seek wisdom in decision-making.
4. Pray for respect for authority and leaders.

Insight:

Saul’s impatience and disobedience led to negative consequences, highlighting the importance of following God’s commands and respecting spiritual authority.

Takeaways:

1. Obedience is crucial in following God’s plan.
2. Patience is necessary to wait on God’s timing.
3. Disobedience leads to negative consequences.
4. Respect for authority is vital.

Key Principles:

1. Obedience to God’s Word (1 Samuel 10:8)
2. Patience in waiting on God (Psalm 27:14)
3. Respect for spiritual authority (Hebrews 13:17)

Application:

1. Obey God’s Word even when it’s challenging.
2. Practice patience in difficult situations.
3. Show respect for parents, leaders, and spiritual authorities.

Reflection:

Consider times when you disobeyed or impatiently took matters into your own hands. What were the consequences?

Reflection Questions:

1. What areas do I need to improve in obedience?
2. How can I practice patience in my life?
3. Who are the authorities God has placed in my life?

Bible Verses:

1. 1 Samuel 10:8
2. 1 Samuel 13:13
3. Psalm 27:14
4. Hebrews 13:17

Additional Bible Verses for Reflection:

1. Proverbs 10:8
2. Romans 6:16
3. 2 Corinthians 10:6

Bible Verse Inspirations:

1. “Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you.” (Joshua 22:5)
2. “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart.” (Psalm 27:14)

Declaration and Confession:

In Jesus Christ Mighty name! I will obey God’s Word and respect spiritual authority, trusting in His plan and timing! Amen.

May God bless you with wisdom, obedience, and patience as you follow His plan for your life! Amen.

May God’s peace and guidance be with you always! Amen.

Shalom!

Thank You Jesus,

Salvation Prayers

If you don’t Know Jesus as your personal Lord and Saviour and would like to accept him into your life as your personal Lord and Saviour, Please say this prayer:

Father, I know that I have broken your laws and my sins have separated me from You. I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward You. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that Your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send Your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your Will for the rest of my life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Support Our Ministry,

Good Morning Dear,

It cost a lot of money to maintain a website, Nonetheless a non-profit Christian website,

Please if you have been blessed by this ministry and you are led to support and bless this ministry in return,

Please make your donation to this account,

Chukwuemeka Obiorah Ogwo,

Account Number,0139438409,

Guaranty Trust Bank Plc Nigeria,

To help us continue in the spreading of The GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST to every corner of this world,

Thank You Very Much For Your Support,

May GOD, we Serve Bless You A Million Times in return, Amen,

May God Bless Israel, Nigeria, And America And Take Care Of Us; May God Make His Face Shine Upon Us, And Be Gracious To Us; May The Lord Lift Up His Countenance Upon Us, And Give Us Peace, In Jesus Christ Name, We Pray! Amen!

May The Grace The Lord Jesus Christ, And The Love Of God, And The Fellowship Of The Holy Spirit Be With You All. Amen!

Chukwuemeka Obiorah Ogwo.