*CHRIST APOSTOLIC
*MEMORISE:*
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight *(Proverbs 15:8).*
*READ: 1 Samuel 15:13-24*
13. Then Samuel went to Saul, and Saul said to him, “Blessed are you of the Lord! I have performed the commandment of the Lord.”
14. But Samuel said, “What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?”
15. And Saul said, “They have brought them from the Amalekites; for the people spared the best of the sheep and the oxen, to sacrifice to the Lord your God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed.”
16. Then Samuel said to Saul, “Be quiet! And I will tell you what the Lord said to me last night.” And he said to him, “Speak on.”
17. So Samuel said, “When you were little in your own eyes, were you not head of the tribes of Israel? And did not the Lord anoint you king over Israel?
18. Now the Lord sent you on a mission, and said, ‘Go, and utterly destroy the sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are consumed.’
19. Why then did you not obey the voice of the Lord? Why did you swoop down on the spoil, and do evil in the sight of the Lord?”
20. And Saul said to Samuel, “But I have obeyed the voice of the Lord, and gone on the mission on which the Lord sent me, and brought back Agag king of Amalek; I have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.
21. But the people took of the plunder, sheep and oxen, the best of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal.”
22. 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.
23. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft,
And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king.”
24. Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice.
*EXPOSITION*
In today's world, it is easy to fall into the trap of thinking that we can manipulate God, or earn His favour through our actions, whether through material offerings, or superficial displays of piety. But, Proverbs 15:8 reminds us that God sees beyond mere outward actions; He examines the heart (1 Sam. 16:7). Attempting to bribe Him with insincere sacrifices, or empty gestures of devotion is futile. God desires authentic relationship and obedience from His people. He delights in the prayers of those who seek Him with sincerity and humility.
Throughout the Bible, we see examples of people who tried to manipulate God but ultimately failed. Read Acts 5:1-11; 8:18- 24. Instead of seeking to bribe God, let us approach Him with genuine hearts, acknowledging our dependence on Him as we surrender to His will. Our prayers and offerings are pleasing to Him when they come from a place of authenticity and reverence. Let us strive to live upright lives that honour God, knowing that He sees and values the sincerity of our hearts. Learn from Saul's foolishness (1 Sam 15:13ff).
*PRAYER POINTS*
1. Lord, forgive me of my insincere actions.
2. Lord, help me to approach You genuinely, humbly seeking Your favour through upright living.
3. Lord, strengthen our faith to trust in Your goodness and sovereignty.
*SUGGESTED HYMN FOR TODAY: CAC GHB 282*
1. Unclean and full of sin
Am I, O Lord my God,
I dare not venture near to Thee
I and my load of sin.
2. This heavy load of sin
Doth crush my evil heart
And how far more wicked it looks
Before Thy holy face.
3. Must I be left to die?
And that despairingly?
There is joy in Thy atonement
For poor sinner like me.
4. Thy blood which Thou has shed
Which is Thy boundless grace
Can wash the vilest sinner clean
Can melt the heart of stone.
5. I fall down at Thy feet
Do, pardon and forgive
And here at Thy feet will remain
Until Thou say "Arise."
Amen.
*EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: Job 32-34*
*AUTHOR: CAC Worldwide*
