Listen and Obey

1Samuel 13:13

13"You acted foolishly," Samuel said. "You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time.

As the word says, King Saul was thirty years old when he became king and reigned for forty-two years. King Saul had been given specific instructions by the prophet Samuel who was assigned to him during his reign. Saul became impatient because his men became fearful before battle. Samuel gave instructions for Saul to wait for him and he would give the burnt offering to the Lord on Saul's behalf before battle for him to have the Lord's favor. But Saul, afraid his men would not stay, decided not to wait. When Samuel learned what Saul had done, he reminded him that he was given specific instructions. Those instructions were actually the Lord's. Samuel was God's mouthpiece. For that is what a prophet is. God's mouthpiece to provide direction and guidance from the Lord regarding His will. Yes, we have the Holy Spirit today for our guidance but the Lord has not done away with the office of prophet as Jesus himself was every ministry office. Not obeying the word of God from the mouth of a true prophet is the same as disobeying the Lord himself both then and now. So for Saul, it cost him a kingdom and a legacy for his children.

What does this mean to you? When the Lord speaks whether through the Holy Spirit or through one the Lord sends it is the same. Your obedience is key. You have no idea what may be at stake. Whether you know what is at stake or not, the key is to listen and obey the word of the Lord. It is not for sport. Jesus said His purpose for returning to heaven was to make a place for us and He would send us the Holy Spirit to comfort, teach and guide and even convict us because the Holy Spirit knows all things. So Jesus took great pains for us. The least you and I can do is listen and obey.

P.S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Get Your JOY In The Morning! The writing ministry God has assigned to me is now four years old as of this past weekend. Thank you Lord for entrusting me with such a task. I talk in my book, Get Your JOY In The Morning on how it all came to be. Thank you to all of you for your support!