Do You Ever Think God Is Sorry.....

Do you think you’ve ever made God sorry that He made a decision about you? Here in 1 Samuel chapter 15 we read of God’s sorrow over Saul’s kingship. Saul was impulsive, arrogant (the opposite of the humility God desires), and most of all proud. When Saul made a vow, he made certain to carry it out (which is a good thing), but unfortunately his decisions in making the vows weren’t very thought out in advance. The biggest downfall of King Saul is the same fault most all of us have. Saul’s biggest downfall was his disobedience to God’s commands. Here, and numerous other times, Saul’s decision making in carrying out God’s commands were altered. Like Saul, we all tend to do this. The reason we do is because we tend to step into the role of God and make decisions that only He is entitled to make. Saul was given specific instructions to completely destroy the Amalekites. That meant all living things (yes, babies and animals too). Saul took it upon himself to spare the king, and the best of all the animals. Saul thought he would use the best of the animals as sacrifices to God. I totally understand his thinking, but God later chastises him for it. Why? Because of his disobedience. If you read the entire chapter you find God telling Samuel that It was time to settle the accounts with the Amalekites; they had opposed the Israelites when they had come out of Egypt. God was angry with them. The Amalekites had no reason to be nasty and treat the Israelites the way they did, so God decided it was time to carry out His judgement on them by destroying all of them. Saul took it upon himself to play the role of God, and did not completely destroy them (like he was ordered to do). How often do you step into the role of God and act in disobedience towards Him, thinking you are doing good? We find out what God thinks about this type of behavior when He tells Samuel to relay the message to Saul. Saul’s kingdom will be torn away from him and given to someone else (we know it was given to David). He tells Saul that it’s not sacrifices that God wants, but rather our obedience. When we make the mistake of altering our thinking away from obedience towards doing things that we think will please God, we will always find ourselves in Saul’s shoes. This is because when we do this, we are actually stepping into the role of God, which is not for us to do. Our duty to God is first loyalty, and we carry it out in acts of obedience. The sacrifice God wants from us is the sacrifice of self. When we do this, we don’t have to worry about acting like Saul because when we submit ourselves to God, we go to Him in prayer, and that prevents us from “playing God”. I mean how can you “play God” when you go to Him in prayer? It’s not our place to step into His role. Humility keeps us from this kind of sin. When you are close to God, and know Who He is, there’s not much room for promoting yourself. The times we get into trouble by playing God, is when we fail to be obedient because we want to promote ourselves. Self-sacrificial service (LOVE) is what the Bible is all about. When God is the center and source of that love, we will always do what pleases Him.

2 This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has declared: I have decided to settle accounts with the nation of Amalek for opposing Israel when they came from Egypt. 3 Now go and completely destroy the entire Amalekite nation–men, women, children, babies, cattle, sheep, goats, camels, and donkeys.” 1 Samuel 15:2-3

9 Saul and his men spared Agag’s life and kept the best of the sheep and goats, the cattle, the fat calves, and the lambs–everything, in fact, that appealed to them. They destroyed only what was worthless or of poor quality. 1 Samuel 15:9

10 Then the Lord said to Samuel, 11 “I am sorry that I ever made Saul king, for he has not been loyal to Me and has refused to obey My command.” Samuel was so deeply moved when he heard this that he cried out to the Lord all night.12 Early the next morning Samuel went to find Saul. Someone told him, “Saul went to the town of Carmel to set up a monument to himself; then he went on to Gilgal.”13 When Samuel finally found him, Saul greeted him cheerfully. “May the Lord bless you,” he said. “I have carried out the Lord’s command!”14 “Then what is all the bleating of sheep and goats and the lowing of cattle I hear?” Samuel demanded.15 “It’s true that the army spared the best of the sheep, goats, and cattle,” Saul admitted. “But they are going to sacrifice them to the Lord your God. We have destroyed everything else.” 1 Samuel 15:10-15

20 “But I did obey the Lord,” Saul insisted. “I carried out the mission He gave me. I brought back King Agag, but I destroyed everyone else. 21 Then my troops brought in the best of the sheep, goats, cattle, and plunder to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal.”22 But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the Lord:your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to His voice?Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice,and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.23 Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft,and stubbornness as bad as worshiping Jan idols.So because you have rejected the command of the Lord,He has rejected you as king.” 1 Samuel 15:20-23

24 Then Saul admitted to Samuel, “Yes, I have sinned. I have disobeyed your instructions and the Lord’s command, for I was afraid of the people and did what they demanded. 25 But now, please forgive my sin and come back with me so that I may worship the Lord.”26 But Samuel replied, “I will not go back with you! Since you have rejected the Lord’s command, He has rejected you as king of Israel.” 1 Samuel 15:24-26