An Unconventional Worship

God is all about details, not just in the little details He uses to woo and pursue us, but also in the details of obedience. This lesson hurt me just a little, I’ll warn you ahead of time!

I was reading about Saul in 1 Samuel 15. He had the world by the tail. He had been anointed king over God’s people and the future was looking pretty bright for Saul until he messed up. He couldn’t say “I didn’t know, nobody told me” like we sometimes do. There was no excuse, he had no one to blame. In verse 1, Samuel, God’s prophet, had said “listen to the words of the Lord” before giving him clear, precise instructions about destroying the Amalekites. He was told to destroy them, all that they had, put to death all of the people and put to death their livestock.

He headed out for battle and defeated the Amalekites and destroyed all of the people. However, Saul and his people, feeling victorious, took it upon themselves to capture and spare Agag, the King of the Amalekites, keep the best of the livestock, “and all that was good” v9. They were only willing to destroy the things that were worth nothing, but wanted to keep the good stuff. That’s not what God said to do!

It doesn’t matter if you are a king, God is always watching and expects obedience. Not partial obedience, complete obedience. God noticed what Saul had done and spoke to Samuel about it. Samuel went to see King Saul the next day and as Samuel approaches, King Saul, so proud of his accomplishment, gives him the replay. To make a long story short – Samuel calls him on it. He asks him why he didn’t obey God’s instruction. King Saul insists that he did obey and blames the people for bringing back the livestock, saying they planned to use it to sacrifice to God. Samuel didn’t buy his excuse and neither did God.

     “….Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice…” 1 Sam 15:22

He also goes on to tell Saul that because he had rejected God’s word to him, God was rejecting him as king. Saul became distraught at what he had been told and began begging Samuel for forgiveness, confessing that he had listened to the people and not to God. As Samuel tried to walk away, Saul tugged on Samuel in despair so desperately, he tore Samuel’s robe. I can only imagine the regret King Saul felt, his world began to crumble around him. He finally convinced Samuel to return with him so that he could be honored before his people for the victory and so that he could worship God with him.

     “So Samuel went back following Saul, and Saul worshiped the Lord.” 1Sam 15:31

I found that odd. If he was in deep trouble with God, why on earth would he want to go worship? When I feel like I’m in trouble with God, I don’t exactly feel like lifting my hands in praise and singing. I can barely lift my eyes to His throne, I am so disappointed and ashamed of myself. I looked up how the word “worship” is used here and it means “fall down”, “make to stoop”, “bow self down”. Whoa!– bowing self down is worship in God’s eyes. He wants obedience, and even when I’ve been disobedient, once I bow down before Him, its worship. Saul may have been stripped of his title as king because of his obedience, but I bet he never forgot this moment of worship.

Oh Sovereign One, I am in awe at the realization of another aspect of what worship is to you. I have made it something so small. Even my bowing in submission to you after I have screwed up is worship to you. Sometimes that is all I have to offer you and you willingly accept it. I realize that partial obedience is the same as disobedience and I want to honor you with my life. Holy Spirit, may I be ever dependent upon your strength to stand firm and obey. May my ears hear your instructions clearly so that I follow your directions precisely, not allowing the opinions of people to influence my actions. Thank you, Father, for this lesson. I pray you root it deep within my heart to produce a harvest for you.

Amy Dotson, RPDOTK (Royal Princess Daughter Of The King)