Adapting to God's Culture
Verses: 1 Samuel 15:22, 23
"But Samuel replied: 'Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying 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, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.'"
As we delve into the story of Saul, the first king of Israel, we are met with a profound lesson on the importance of adapting to God's culture. In this passage, Samuel confronts Saul about his disobedience to God's command to completely destroy the Amalekites. Saul's response is revealing - he claims to have spared the best of the livestock in order to sacrifice to the Lord. However, Samuel's rebuke cuts to the heart of the matter: obedience to God's word is far more important than sacrifice.
Saul's mistake was not that he intended to disobey God, but rather that he lacked seriousness and attention to God's word. He was more focused on the mundane things of life, such as avoiding sin and doing what was right in his own eyes, rather than seeking to understand and adapt to God's culture. Saul's problem was that he was not heaven-minded, and he paid little attention to God's ways.
This passage teaches us that true spiritual life is more than just avoiding sin and doing what is right. It is about seeking to understand and adapt to God's culture, which is far more nuanced and complex. It is about seeking to know God's ways and to align ourselves with them, rather than just doing what we think is best.
As we reflect on Saul's mistake, let us ask ourselves: are we seeking to adapt to God's culture, or are we just doing what we think is best? Are we seeking to understand God's ways, and to align ourselves with them, or are we just going through the motions of spiritual life? Let us seek to be heaven-minded, and to give attention to God's word, that we may truly please Him.
In a world where we are constantly bombarded with competing values and priorities, it is easy to lose sight of what is truly important. But as Children of God we are called to a higher standard.We are called to seek first the kingdom of God, and to align ourselves with His ways.
So let us take a step back and evaluate our lives. Are we prioritizing God's culture, or are we allowing the world to shape our values and priorities? Are we seeking to understand and adapt to God's ways, or are we just doing what comes naturally?
As we seek to adapt to God's culture, let us remember that it is a journey, not a destination. It is a process of growth and transformation, as we seek to become more like Our Father. And it is a journey that requires intentionality and effort, as we seek to align ourselves with God's ways.
Prayer:
Dear God, help us to seek to understand and adapt to Your culture. Help us to be heaven-minded and to give attention to Your word. Give us the desire to truly please You, and to align ourselves with Your ways. May we not just go through the motions of spiritual life, but may we truly seek to know and follow You. Help us to prioritize Your kingdom, and to seek first Your ways. Amen.