Partial Obedience Is Disobedience According to God
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1 Samuel tells the epic story of how Israel transitioned from being ruled by priests and judges to having a king. The first King of the Israelites is an interesting character. When he was to be presented to the people as king, he was nowhere to be found. Finally, after some searching, he was located with the luggage (1 Samuel 10). Needless to say, he lacked confidence that he was the right man for the job.
David, Saul’s successor, has the complete opposite heart as a leader. In Psalm 20:7 David writes, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” He understood that the only one to be feared was the Lord, because his Spirit is more mighty than any power a man can wield.
How easy is it for us to be like Saul and let the pressure we feel from the people right in front of us push us away from the things God has called us to? How many of us let the news, social media, the opinions of our co-workers, or our performance in the things we put our hands to determine if we are able to have peace and joy? The lesson is that we can live rooted, peace-filled, and miraculous lives because when we trust God, he is faithful to lead us towards his goodness and beauty. Trust that God will show you how to navigate whatever circumstances he allows to come your way.
When we consider the story of Saul and the warning from Revelation to avoid living a lukewarm life, our hearts should be stirred. God has made us each on purpose and for a purpose. What he desires is surrender of our stories so he can use us to show Jesus to this dark world.
1 Corinthians 12:27 puts it this way, “All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.” Each person plays a vital role in working together with others that know Jesus around them. When we embrace our God-given purpose, we get to show Jesus to others here on earth. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can bring light into the darkness.
How have you held back from God’s call for your life maybe because you are afraid of the cost or what others may think? How has God multiplied your gifts when you’ve stepped out in faith in the past? Remembering what he has done is a great way to boost our faith. Saul was afraid because he forgot the victories God had already provided from him and the Israelites. God is faithful to his people, that’s a truth we have to cling to as we press forward in obedience to live surrendered and faith-filled lives.
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