In View of the Big Picture

04.14.13

1 Samuel 15.22-23 22 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.

23 For rebellion is as the sin of divination,

    and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry.

Because you have rejected the word of the Lord,

    he has also rejected you from being king.” (ESV)

From their earliest days as a nation, a people, God expected obedience from the Israelites. Just because the nation had gone through several centuries of apostasy didn’t mean they were exempted from the Law; they were still expected to obey and performance was the name of the game.

The sins of Israel were simply rebellion and presumption. It is one thing to presume: doing my own thing aforethought. It’s another to assume: doing my own thing on the spur of the moment: making an a** ought of you and me. Rebellion is plain old disrespect. And Saul was guilty of both.

Saul’s life was momentary in that he seemed to live with a knee-jerk approach: if it seemed good to him in the moment, he did it. Samuel however, wanted Saul to live more circumspectly: in view of the big picture. Good leaders live circumspectly. Saul wasn't a good leader.

As believers we are called to live circumspectly with a clear view of the big picture. We’re to care for one another and to bear one another’s burdens. We’re to forgive and forget as we've been forgiven, and our own sins forgotten. Today is a day of abundant grace that enables us to live differently in view of God’s love for us. When we view His love we tend to be a little easier on others who struggle with it. That doesn't mean condoning sin, but it does mean living with courage for the safety and security of others in spiritual matters: their lives are a reflection of the power of God’s grace.

Saul’s life was a reflection of God’s choice; God chose him to lead His people and He expected Saul to do so willingly, and obediently. Where Saul failed was in the realm of disobedience (rebellion) and presumption (deciding to do his own thing). The difference with us is God won’t reject those who accept His grace. We’ll stumble and fall, but lovingly, He picks us up and gets us back on the right path.

I’m not excused to sin by grace; I’m to be motivated in the midst of it to live freely. My relationship with God is not based on performance but on love: truly loving God, and truly loving people. Grace enables circumspection.

Father, help me to live with your grace in view and to love as You love – amen.