Over the past few days I keep awaking with these words of the Lord “obedience is greater than sacrifice” the words from Samuel the prophet in 1 Samuel 15:22. Let’s start by reading this verse and see what the Lord wants to reveal to us.
1 Samuel 15:22 (NKJV)
“So Samuel said:
“Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
As in obeying the voice of the LORD?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
And to heed than the fat of rams”.
And
Then Samuel said, Do you think all God wants are sacrifices— empty rituals just for show? He wants you to listen to him! Plain listening is the thing, not staging a lavish religious production. Not doing what God tells you is far worse than fooling around in the occult. Getting self-important around God is far worse than making deals with your dead ancestors. Because you said No to God’s command, he says No to your kingship. (Message Translation)
Wow isn’t that an interesting translation and interpretation, incapsulating some interesting thoughts. Ok so why would the Lord speak this old time statement from a long time ago story, into this season we are currently in?
I believe an answer to this, is when we are outside of a situation, the best place to evaluate a situation is at REST.
For when we go to the house of the Lord, sit with Him in our daily place of devotion or enter any meeting, then we are leading with the above scripture and there is great significance of this scripture. This is true in our work place, the market place or in our own home within our family. But how?
We’ll find out the how as we breakdown each part of this scripture and the why behind it.
Do you think all God wants are sacrifices? This interesting question is the first words in message version, but why? Ask yourself why, as your why will show you and describe how you see our Father. You will see your view of Him.
Now if this view is not one of a Father who created you, Loves you unconditionally, and is doing everything in His power to see you succeed in the plans and purpose that He created you for.
Is your view of the Father as One who sent His son to die and pay the ultimate cost for you, so that through this one sacrifice He set the example of this true meaning, revealed the depth behind the invitation of what He is willing to put in for a relationship with you and all of His children.
Because if we don’t understand this then our prayers, homes, work places and church meetings will only be full with empty rituals that are just for show, as the next line of this scripture says.
Here’s my personal testimony, for me in my relationship with my own adopted father I had spent over 40years doing everything I could to please him, to earn his love can you relate? Well guess what, I found out that I couldn’t please him and earn his love, actually I found out that most of what I had done was meaningless and had no actual effect on our relationship and me. As the thing with this way of doing became a mindset, value and way I did life and it affected every relationship I had. Being honest I would do anything to be noticed and fit in, as I thought this would give meaning into my life, it’s sad that everything I did was just empty rituals just for show, bringing an even deeper hole in my heart, and relationship with people, friends, and family including my relationship with my father. Can you relate? Hang on there’s so much hope and freedom for you.
The journey I went on was flipping this to ask the hard but vital question of WHY. I wonder how often we stop, pause and take a long hard look at WHAT WE DO and ask WHY?
Why are we doing what we are doing?
Who and what is it for?
How much is just empty rituals just for show?
Ooh can’t wait, our CHALLENGE time is exactly above for you to decide you will you be with the Lord and ask Him to tell or show you what your WHY questions are, for what you do what you do. Be real and transparent with Him asking to show the things you’ve been avoiding, feel are too hard, or are scared to bring them before Him and ask the WHY.
Today that’s your invitation, take your time, and be with the Lord and ask Him all the questions and record what He says, and thank Him after each revelation as He is your Good Father, and He is cheering you on as His precious child walk to walk into greater freedom in Jesus name.
Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you in praying and then simply pray.
Craig Patten
Itinerate Pastor / Prophet.
Encounter Ministries
