Obedience and Consequences

We are frequently blinded to what God wants us to do by our own perspectives and motivations. When we say ‘No’ to God and insist on our own way, and He allows us to walk in our own way, we can take it to mean that we are in His will all along. But, sometimes God’s greatest judgment is giving us what we think we want so we can see that it really isn’t what we wanted at all. However, being disobedient is costly. God’s commitment to His people does not mean we are free from the consequences of choosing against His way. His grace, however, allows us to return to His path when we recognize that our way does not match His. 

Saul had wealth, influence, good looks. He had the look of a king. But he didn’t have the heart. Saul did not wait on God’s direction and took on the role of priests, offering sacrifices himself. He did this because the people were scattering, he had not heard from God yet, and his enemies were already prepared for war. In other words, he wanting God’s advice at his time, not God’s time. The people looked at the outside (influence, wealth, handsome), but God looked at the heart (lack of obedience).