1 Samuel 15:22 — "Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams."
King Saul had a problem. God gave him clear instructions, but Saul decided to do things his own way. He thought he could make up for his disobedience with a really good sacrifice. Surely God would be impressed, right?
But God wasn't impressed. Through the prophet Samuel, God said something that still echoes today:
"To obey is better than sacrifice."
In other words: I don't want your songs if you won't follow My voice. I don't want your worship if you won't obey My Word.
Ouch.
Obedience Is Worship
We love the idea of worship when it's comfortable. When it's singing our favorite songs. When it's posting an encouraging verse on social media. When it feels good.
But what about when God asks us to:
- Forgive someone who hurt us?
- Let go of something we're holding too tightly?
- Step into something that feels scary or uncertain?
- Trust Him when we don't understand?
- Say no to what everyone else is saying yes to?
That's when worship gets real. That's when obedience becomes costly.
John 14:15 — "If you love me, keep my commands."
Jesus didn't say, "If you love me, sing about me." He said, "Keep my commands." Obedience is the evidence of our love.
When Obedience Doesn't Make Sense
Here's the hard part: Sometimes God's instructions don't make sense.
- Noah built an ark when there was no rain in sight.
- Abraham left everything familiar to go to a place he'd never been.
- Moses went back to Egypt, the place he fled from.
- Mary said yes to a plan that would cost her reputation.
None of it made sense in the moment. But they obeyed anyway.
And God showed up.
Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
Obedience requires us to trust God's understanding over our own. To surrender our logic, our comfort, our plans—and follow His lead instead.
Partial Obedience Is Still Disobedience
Here's where Saul went wrong: He obeyed most of what God said. He did some of it. But he kept back the parts that didn't make sense to him.
And God called it disobedience.
We do the same thing, don't we?
- We'll forgive... but we'll keep our distance.
- We'll give... but not sacrificially.
- We'll serve... but only when it's convenient.
- We'll trust God... but keep a backup plan just in case.
James 1:22 warns us: "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."
Obedience isn't picking and choosing. It's full surrender. It's saying, "God, Your way. Not mine."
The Cost and the Reward
Let's be honest: Obedience can be costly.
It might cost you:
- Comfort
- Control
- Popularity
- Security
- Your own plans
But here's what it gains you:
- Peace — knowing you're walking in God's will
- Purpose — living aligned with His plan
- Intimacy — deeper relationship with Him
- Transformation — becoming more like Jesus
- Blessing — not always immediate, but always faithful
Luke 6:46 challenges us: "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?"
If Jesus is truly Lord of our lives, obedience isn't optional. It's worship.
This Week's Challenge:
Ask God: "Is there an area where I've been holding back obedience?"
Maybe it's a conversation you've been avoiding. A habit you need to break. A step of faith you've been too scared to take. A person you need to forgive. A calling you've been ignoring.
Choose one area this week and obey. Not because it's easy. Not because it makes sense. But because obedience is worship.
And watch how God meets you in your yes.
Prayer:
God, I want to obey You—not just when it's convenient, but when it's costly. Show me where I've been holding back. Give me the courage to follow You fully, even when I don't understand. Let my obedience be an act of worship. In Jesus' name, amen.
Reflect:
- Is there an area where God is asking you to obey, but you've been hesitating?
- What's holding you back from full surrender?
