Tuesday – Do Everything According to the Commandments of the Lord
READ: Joshua 8:1-10; 1 Samuel 15:22
SOAP: 1 Samuel 15:22
For further reading – Joshua 8:11-17
“And 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 listen than the fat of rams.”– 1 Samuel 15:22
God gives Joshua a second chance to conquer Ai. The first onslaught didn´t work out because of Achan´s actions in Jericho. After dealing with Achan and his sin, Israel moved forward.
Now God gives Joshua another command. They have to go to Ai and crush it. This time, however, they could plunder the city as they pleased (if only Achan had waited a little longer!). And God expects them to do things just as He has told them.
God says it. You do it. It wouldn´t have to be so complicated, right? We know God loves us. We know He works all things for our good (Romans 8:28). We know He has plans for our good, not for evil (Jeremiah 29:11). And yet we struggle with His will for our lives.
We do the religious practices, the devotions, the things others can see. But we forget about our hearts. We forget that what God wants for us is that we would listen to Him and follow His commands. We can fool others and pretend we are obedient children of God. But we can´t fool God.
Dear friend, there´s freedom in obedience. We don´t like to give up control of our lives, I know that. But think about this for a second – you don´t have it anyway! It´s not you controlling your life, but God. Are you struggling with obeying God? Surrender. Give up. It´s not worth the fight. Trust in His will for You and obey Him with all your heart.
Oh, Father, I surrender my heart to You today. Help me remember that there´s freedom in obedience. I don´t want to struggle with Your will for me because I know it´s perfect. I want to live in obedience and surrender to Your will. In Jesus’ name, Amen.