There can be a big difference between what we think God wants and what God actually wants. Saul came up hard against that difference here. Surely, sacrificing the best of the plunder to God is a good thing? It wouldn’t be the first time that a victorious leader of Israel had done such a thing. Yet, this was not what God had asked for. Yet again, Saul had done what he thought was best, rather than actually listening and obeying.

There are many activities that a Christian can get involved in that seem worthwhile and appropriate. They may be things that other Christians are doing, or that have been done successfully before. A church leadership might look to another successful church and copy their style, or adopt their programme. In our personal lives, we may read a book by a prominent Christian author and take on board its advice, or see a friend starting a new ministry and decide to join in with it.

All of these things may be worthwhile and ‘good’ ideas, but, as Saul learned the hard way, obeying God is far more important than following our own good ideas.

Think about all the advice you have heard over your years as a Christian. Think about all the activities you and other Christians have been involved in. We would wear ourselves down to nothing if we tried to pursue every idea that seemed ‘good’ to us, and perhaps still never really find what we are looking for.

The Lord has prepared good works for us to do, and has a plan and a purpose for our lives. It is when we are obedient to that plan and purpose that we find ourselves in the place we should be. As we pursue the Lord, we become better and better at hearing his voice. Let us press into him, to hear his call and to obey him, because our obedience is better than any ‘good idea’.

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NEWBOLD BAPTIST CHURCH