April 14 - The Deceitfulness of Sin

 Read today’s texts first:  1 Samuel 15,16; 1 Chronicles 5; Matthew 1

MAXIMize YOUR DAY
 
Shifting blame or justifying disobedience hardens the heart; remorse and repentance softens it. 

As we read through the life of Saul we’ll notice a gradual hardening of his heart. He started off soft and teachable, very aware of his humble beginnings. He was reticent to be chosen as King because his family was insignificant (9:21), he was afraid to tell others about his anointing by Samuel (10:16), and when it came time for the big reveal, he was hiding in the baggage area (10:21). But soon he began to enjoy the public accolades and the power he was given went straight to his head, just as God predicted (8:4-18; 15:17-19).

Eventually Saul became more concerned with pleasing the people than pleasing God. He made a show of seeking God, like offering sacrifices himself (13:8-12), building an altar, and even inquiring of the Lord (14:35,37), but it seemed to be a pretext of spirituality. When confronted about not fully obeying God’s commands, he would justify himself (eg. 13:11,12). Our reading today is a classic illustration of the deceitfulness of sin (Heb. 3:13), where Saul actually starts to believe he knows better than God.

After being told by God to completely destroy the Amalekite’s livestock, he decides to save the best. When Samuel shows up to confront him, he finds Saul building a statue to honour himself for his victory over the Amalekites. Saul proactively greets him with this deluded statement: “I have carried out the Lord’s instructions” (15:13). Yah, right! When Samuel cups his hand to his ear and asks Saul, “what then is this bleating of sheep in my ears? What is this lowing of cattle that I hear?” (15:14), Saul is ready with his planned response, “the soldiers brought them from the Amalekites; they spared the best of the sheep and cattle to sacrifice to the Lord your God” (15:15 - notice he said “your God”, not “my God” or “our God” – very telling). 

Shifting blame or justifying disobedience hardens the heart; remorse and repentance softens it. When Saul did finally repent, it was because Samuel told him, “because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has rejected you as king” (15:23-30). But notice his main concern was getting Samuel to be seen with him while he makes a public show of worshiping God – can you say “photo op”?

“Lord, I want to always remember that ‘obedience is better than sacrifice’ and should I ever forget, I want to be quick to repent, to be like David, ‘a man after God’s own heart’ (15:22; 13:14).”