Pastor Leon’s SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer

April 14: 1Samuel 15-16; 1Chronicles 5; Matthew 1

Scripture: 1Samuel (NIV) 15:22 But Samuel replied, “What pleases the LORD more? Burnt offerings and sacrifices, or obeying him? It is better to obey than to offer a sacrifice. It is better to do what he says than to offer the fat of rams.

Observation: King Saul and the Israelites were to totally destroy the Amalekites and all their possessions. But they saved the King and the best of the sheep and cattle. They saved everything that was valuable but totally destroyed everything that was worthless and weak. (verse 9) When confronted by the prophet Samuel, King Saul responded that they had kept the best of the sheep and cattle to sacrifice to the Lord.

Application: My obedience is very important to the Lord, and should be to me also. I should use my mind to determine how to best obey, rather than to think up excuses for not obeying. I cannot pay off the Lord for my disobedience. I cannot do something special for Him in order to make up for my disobedience. However if I confess my sins He is faithful and just and will forgive AND cleanse me from all unrighteousness. (1John 1:9) Being cleansed from all unrighteousness would include the desire to disobey again. And as this week I celebrate the death and resurrection of my Lord, I should be reminded of the great suffering my sins caused Him. To think I have an easy out of sin shows that I do not appreciate His cross and have not accepted the principle of the cross in my life where I can say “no” to what I would enjoy in order to say “yes” to what pleases Him. In so living, I discover the joy and reward for obeying Him.

Prayer: Lord, if I call you “Lord” then I must obey. Sadly, when I disobey you I am confessing with my actions that you are not my Lord. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!