There are things that we do that can clearly displease God. Continuing sin and disobedience to clear instructions are some but there is a more subtle and dangerous one that we can all fall into. It is one where we partially do what God has asked and then try justifying our position without repentance. This happened to King Saul in the book of 1 Samuel chapter 15.
King Saul was commanded by God to utterly destroy the Amalekites and spare no one or seize any plunder. Everything was to be destroyed. But King Saul spared King Agag and took some of the livestock as plunder. King Saul told the Prophet Samuel (1 Samuel 15: 13b)-“I have performed the commandment of the Lord.” Samuel responded in verse 14:-And Samuel said, “What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears and the lowing of the oxen that I hear? In verse 20, Saul continues:-“I have obeyed the voice of the Lord.” To Saul, he had carried out the commandment of the Lord. But he only did it partially and then tried to justify himself.
This is what so many of us can do. We hear from God and leading but only go so far to what is comfortable to us. We convince ourselves that we have done what was asked of ourselves and continue. But God has gone silent and the Holy Spirit grieved. Our hearts can then start to ne hardened as we try and pretend that all is well when in actual fact, we have disobeyed. If we do not return with repentant hearts God can raise and use someone else who would do ‘as He says!‘ Though there was a chance of repentance, Saul lost his anointing, and then his position as King went to another. That ‘other’ was King David, one whom was one after God’s own heart. A heart that recognized what it was to fail, but one that was able to humble himself to repentance. King Saul did not want to lose face after his disobedience in front of the people, and this contributed to his downfall.
Let us, the Church of Jesus, be a people that obey the voice of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. Let us continue to allow God to guide us and use us. Let us also be willing to come to God in repentance whilst there is still time. God see’s and knows everything. Nothing is hidden.
