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Obedience Is Better Than Sacrifice

obedience is better than sacrifice

Written By: Odette

April 3, 2023

obedience is better than sacrifice

OBEDIENCE IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE

What exactly does this mean?

Obedience is better than sacrifice in everything that we do as we serve the Lord, and as Children of God, we are to live in total and complete obedience to the LORD, no matter the cost.

Scripture – 1 Samuel 15:22 (Saul’s Disobedience)

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.

In 1 Samuel 15:7-23 we read where Saul was given instructions to kill everyone including the king.  However, instead, he spared the kind and the animals.  Because of his complete disobedience, the kingdom was taken from him.

Instead of obeying what the Lord told him to do through Samuel, Saul caved in under the pressure from those around him and also he failed to listen to the Lord and disobeyed a simple instruction.  This is why Samuel told him that obedience is better than sacrifice.

THOSE WHO CHOSE TO BE OBEDIENT

Why Obedience Is Better Than Sacrifice?

KING DAVID

In the scripture, David is know as a man ofter God’s heart.  Like Saul, he was anointed king of Israel.  The difference between the two is that when David’s sin with Bathsheba was exposed by Nathan the prophet instead of puffing up himself with pride, he humbled himself before the LORD and repented.  Saul on the other hand, tried to defend his disobedient action by telling Samuel that he brought back the animals for sacrifice to the LORD. 

Irrespective of his motives for not killing the animals, this was still disobedience in the eyes of the LORD.  

 

ABRAHAM

In Genesis, we read about Abraham whom God instructed to leave his relatives in the land of Haran and to go to another land.  Abraham had no idea where he was going, however, instead of questioning the LORD, he trusted His direction.  Because of this, Abraham was deemed righteous.

Although I have only mentioned David and Abraham, there are more patriachs in the Bible who have chosen to obey the LORD despite what may or may not happen to them.

We are called by the LORD to trust Him and always be obedient no matter what we think or feel.  Although we may not understand, we must at all times trust the process because the LORD knows the beginning from the end.

Many of us have been called to go into ministry full-time or to start a business but have refused to answer the call from God.

The first thing we often think about is; how are my bills going to be paid; where am I going to get money from, etc.  We start thinking about us and what is going to happen to the lifestyle that we have created for ourselves.

Regardless of not knowing or understanding what is going to happen, we have to be in total obedience and step out of our comfort zones.

Let us remember that the will of God will not take us somewhere, where the grace of God will not protect us.

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Does God Sees Our Tears?

Does God Sees Our Tears?

Does God See Our Tears? Finding Comfort in His Presence

Life can be overwhelming at times, leaving us broken, discouraged, and filled with sorrow. In our hardest moments, we may wonder, “Does God see my tears?”  The answer is a resounding yes! The Bible assures us that God not only sees our tears, but He cares deeply about our pain and offers comfort, healing, and hope.

Psalm 56:8 reminds us of God’s intimate care:

“You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.”

This verse reassures us that God values every tear we shed. He is not distant or indifferent; rather, He is near to the brokenhearted and provides comfort to those who mourn (Psalm 34:18).

Why Do We Cry? Understanding the Purpose of Our Tears

Tears are a natural response to grief, pain, loss, disappointment, and even joy. They reflect the depth of our emotions and remind us of our need for God’s presence and healing. Even Jesus, the Son of God, wept when He saw the pain of others (John 11:35), showing us that it is okay to express our sorrow.

While the world may see tears as weakness, God sees them as prayers from the depths of our hearts. He hears our cries, and His love is always present to lift us up.

How God Responds to Our Tears

1. He Sees and Understands Our Pain
God is not distant in our suffering.  Hebrews 4:15 tells us that Jesus understands our weaknesses because He experienced the struggles of humanity. When we cry out to God, He listens with compassion and draws near to comfort us.

2. He Collects Our Tears and Turns Them into Joy Our suffering is never wasted.  Psalm 30:5 says, “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” The tears we shed today can lead to spiritual growth, renewed faith, and unexpected blessings in the future.

3. He Offers Healing and Strength
God doesn’t just see our tears—He brings healing.  Revelation 21:4 gives us the ultimate promise of hope: “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”  Even in our present pain, we can trust that God is working for our good.

4. He Invites Us to Cast Our Burdens on Him
When we feel overwhelmed, God invites us to release our burdens to Him.  1 Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”  Instead of carrying our pain alone, we can surrender our struggles to God and find rest in His presence.

Finding Peace in God’s Love

If you are feeling overwhelmed, know that God sees your tears, hears your cries, and is always near. His love is unfailing, and His promises bring comfort and hope. No matter what you are facing, God is your refuge, your healer, and the One who will turn your mourning into joy.

Take heart—your tears are not in vain, and God is working in your life even now.

Are you ready to trust God with your pain?

 

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