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Rebellion: Today’s entertainment!

Scripture reading for March 20th: 1st Samuel 13-15

God speaks clearly against witchcraft and the occult, violence and murder.  To Him, they are rebellion against His loving rule.   But our culture has television shows and movies featuring these evils that are watched by millions.  A popular series of children’s novels, “Harry Potter”, has sold millions and most look at it as another form of entertainment.  It promotes rebellion and evil God condemns.   (Deuteronomy 18:9-13)

Saul was anointed and empowered to lead the nation as the answer to the people’s cry for a king.   Samuel, the prophet and judge, had told Saul to wait for him to come and sacrifice to the Lord.  Saul waited but grew impatient and decided to offer the sacrifice himself.  Samuel returned just after Saul completed the offering, and rebuked him by telling him that God was not going to let him continue as king.  (1st Samuel 13:13-14)  The “good” thing that Saul had done, was not done in obedience to the Lord and there was no repentance.  It was a form of stubborn rebellion.

Samuel told Saul to attack the Amalekites and destroy everything as punishment from the Lord for their attacking Israel.   Saul obeyed, but only partially!  He kept back the best sheep and goats for sacrifice and let King Agag live.  The Word of the Lord came to Samuel: “I am grieved that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions.” (1st Samuel 15:10-11)  Partial obedience is also rebellion!

God hates rebellion and stubbornness and calls it sin!  He likens it to divination and idolatry!  Ask the Lord to show you if these sins are evident in your life and allow Jesus to deliver you!  Don’t give God a reason to reject you as his child!  Or worse yet, cause your children be rejected because of this evil!

“But Samuel replied: “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord?  To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.  For rebellion is like the sin of divination (witchcraft-KJV)  and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the Word of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.” (1st Samuel 15:22-23)