Legacy ~ Does it matter?

1 Samuel 15 - 17:31

Today, I was reminded of what matters to God.

Look at chapter 15:22 what Samuel says to Saul ~ 

"What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice?

Obedience a word that is so difficult for a lot of people today.  Yet, it is so very important to the LORD!  It should matter to all of us as well.

If we aren't obedient, what will happen with our legacy?  No big deal?  Well, today we read about Saul fighting the Amalekites and he doesn't follow the LORD'S instructions.  Saul was suppose to completely destroy this nation of people for opposing Israel.  Well, Saul doesn't kill the king.  He spared the king's life and he kept the best of the animals for himself.  He only destroyed what was worthless or of poor quality.  God didn't mention any of this in His instructions.  HE said ALL.

Well, the LORD rejected Saul because he didn't obey the commands.  Samuel rejected Saul.  Samuel completed God's instructions by killing the king and never saw Saul again.

Saul did not complete his instructions and we see again in the book of Esther where Esther and Mordecai have to deal with the evil Haman, son of Hammedatha, the Agagite.  Mordecai did not like this man from the beginning and now I understand why.  I had never tied these two things together before reading the wonderful book by Tommy Tenney ~ "Finding Favor with the King."  I was so excited to tie something else to the story of Esther that indeed puts God imprints all over this story.

Mordecai remembered the stories he had heard about these people ~ the Amalekites and he did not forget!  He knew they were evil and that they did not like the Israelites even when they came from Egypt.  Legacy matters.  Mordecai had listened and learned from His people.

The things we teach our younger people matter...Do we teach them it does matter to follow the rules or go ahead do whatever you want is okay?  Obedience does matter.  Listen to these words that Samuel continued with in chapter 15:  Listen!  Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.  Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshipping idols.  So because you have rejected the command of the LORD, he has rejected you as king."

Powerful words for all of us to ponder and follow.

Sweet blessings,

Debbie