Commit to Memory:  “This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘I will punish the Amalekites for what they did to Israel when they waylaid them as they came up from Egypt. Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy all that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys.”  (1 Samuel 15:2-3 NIV)

When God gives you an express instruction, he desires that you obey to the latter. For example as portrayed in the storyline of today’s commit to memory; God told king Saul to totally destroy the Amalakites and every of their possessions. It was an express instruction that required outright and total obedience.

The Amalakites were the descendants of Esau, they were people trained for battles. But then why will God want them destroyed? Why will God want their total wiping away? They were the first nation to attack the Israelites when they left Egypt (Exo.17:8, Numb.14:45). Notwithstanding, Israel defeated them in this battle because the Lord was with Israel, but they continued to be a treat to Israel. How? They will waylay and attack, killing any of the Israelites not in the company of other Israelites. So God wanted them destroyed for they fear not the Lord.

But then, in Deut.25: 17-19, Moses had pronounced a curse on the Amalakites that when the Israelites had settled in Canaan, they would return to wipe out the Amalakites from the earth totally and that they must not forget to do so. And so we see God keeping that promise- the words of His prophet- Moses through king Saul and his Army. But again what did Saul do? He didn’t obey God completely and in the kingdom “little obedience is equal to no obedience at all”. Saul kept the king of Amalak alive as well as the best of everything pleasing, luxurious and choicest of possessions (1 Sam.15:7-9). But this disobedience brought him rejection by the Lord and caused him to lose the throne and kingdom.

Beloved, are you self-opinionated? Do you fear man more than God? Have you become too big to submit to God’s commands and chastening? Do you raise your own opinion above God’s submission, express instructions and interest like king Saul? Repent today.

Reflection: God cares more about your character of obedience than your societal image, comfort and sacrifices.

Prayer Lines: Father, now and always be my fear and dread that I may totally obey you expressly.