Song # 1794.1 from Our Gospel In Song Collection by Col Johnston. In the Book of 1 Samuel we read in chapter 15 that Saul did not follow God’s instructions to completely wipe out the Amalekites and all their livestock. But instead, Saul allowed the soldiers to take the good livestock to sacrifice to the Lord.
Early in the morning Samuel got up and went to meet Saul, but he was told “Saul has gone to Carmel. There he has set up a monument in his own honour and has turned and gone down to Gilgal” (1 Samuel 15:12). When Samuel reached him Saul said “The Lord bless you! I have carried out the Lord’s instructions” (1 Samuel 15:13). But Samuel said “What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears? What is this lowing of cattle that I hear?” (1 Samuel 15:14). Saul answered “The soldiers brought them from the Amalekites, they spared the best of the sheep and cattle to sacrifice to the Lord your God, but we totally destroyed the rest” (1 Samuel 15:15). “Stop!” Samuel said to Saul. “Let me tell you what the Lord said to me last night.” “Tell me” Saul replied (1 Samuel 15:16). Samuel said “Although you were once small in your own eyes, did you not become the head of the tribes of Israel? The Lord anointed you king over Israel” (1 Samuel 15:17). “And He sent you on a mission, saying “Go and completely destroy those wicked people, the Amalekites, make war on them until you have wiped them out” (1 Samuel 15:18). “Why then did you not obey the Lord? Why did you pounce on the plunder and do evil in the eyes of the Lord?” (1 Samuel 15:19). “But I did obey the Lord” Saul said. “I went on the mission the Lord assigned me. I completely destroyed the Amalekites and brought back Agag their king” (1 Samuel 15:20). “The soldiers took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of what was devoted to God, in order to sacrifice them to the Lord your God at Gilgal” (1 Samuel 15:21).
Thought for today: trust and follow the word of God to secure your future with Him.
Thought for the future: there is only one way to heaven, but that is all we need. Where will you spend your eternity?