Unshackled Moments ~ July 19 ~ Destroy It All

In I Samuel 15 there is a story that shows what happened to cost Saul his throne. Israel had an enemy that God told Saul to take his army and utterly destroy, to rid their world of it. Nothing was to be left of that nation, not even the animals. Is the God of love really commanding genocide? In a way, yes. Isn't that a conflict with His identity as a loving God who wishes no one to perish but all to be saved, who offers all a chance at repentance and salvation? Actually no, but that issue is not what I am writing about today and would take far too long to address as an aside. I do acknowledge that this issue has caused many problems for people, and while I don't think it's a complete answer because it leaves a couple of important things out, I will post a link at the end of today's UM that is one of the better briefs on the subject that I have read, for those who are disturbed or curious enough about the command to completely destroy the Amalekite nation to read further,

For our purposes today it is only necessary to know that God wanted Israel rid of that nation and gave Saul the command to see it happen. Saul however spared the king and the best of the flocks. He then had the gall to tell God's prophet Samuel that he had done what the Lord said to do. I love Samuel's response to that - What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear? Oh really Saul, you performed the Lord;s command for you. I guess I'm just hallucinating the sound of the flocks you spared and plundered. Saul tried to pass it off that these are animals he didn't destroy at the time of battle so that they could be sacrificed as an offering to God.

But an offering is not what God wanted from Saul. It is in this chapter that we see that with God, obedience is better than sacrifice. Saul gave up his calling with that act of disregard for God's will, and the next thing that  we see is Samuel anointing David as the next king over Israel. But whatever, that's ancient history right? We're not fighting holy wars to protect a nation of God's chosen people anymore and offering sacrifices is no longer a part of our worship. That's all Old Testament stuff, right?

Well, not exactly. You are one of God's chosen adopted children, and we are still called to submit to His will for us, to accept His guidance, to obey and to sacrifice our will and lives on the altar as a living sacrifice. He wants to change us, to make us into His image and a reflection of His glory. There are things He needs removed from our life in order to protect the integrity of our relationship with Him, to keep them from becoming snares and obstacles that hinder our ability to do what He has called us to do, and to show our willingness to lay down our thoughts on what is best, on the way we want to do things and our will in favor of His wisdom, His way and His will.

And far too often, we play the role of Saul. The Spirit shows us some response, some character defect, some part of our personality He wants changed. Do away with this, let me have it, and so much so that you no longer have anything to do with the things that are even in the smallest way associated with it.Yes, Lord we say as part of our seventh step where we ask Him to remove the things He shows us in step 6. But then we hold back. We keep some of that character defect alive in our hearts and desires. We excuse it by saying that it helps us do what God has called us to do, it makes us a better servant, or that we have figured out a way to use that area of our life for God's glory. In other words, we claim it is part of our living sacrifice.

But it doesn't matter if it does or doesn't help us carry out what God has called us to do in our estimation because above and before every other calling to serve in every manner of service, we are first called to surrender our will and obey. It doesn't matter if we try to use that part of us for God's glory or not, if He wants it removed, it needs to get gone, totally and completely, no exceptions. If we want Him to continue to bless our lives and service, if we want to continue and increasingly to be used by Him to help others, we must first be willing to trust that His plan is the right plan and obey His instructions for our lives. Thank God for His grace which makes this level of obedience possible and for His forgiveness for our past, present and future failings.

The Amalekite Genocide

Unshackled Life Ministries is grateful for every person that reads the daily Unshackled Moments and or listens to the messages. I want to thank those who have clicked "like" on something that blessed or ministered to them. It is encouraging to know that God is using this ministry to help and bless others. Please remember that if God used something from this ministry to help, encourage or bless you, it could also bless someone else. Would you help get the devotions to more people by sharing the Moments and messages that you read or listen to? Hitting the share button instead of or in addition to the like button will help us reach more people with the good news of freedom and the encouragement to live an Unshackled Life. Thank you and God bless.

If you would like to have notifications of new Unshackled Moments and messages sent to you via email, send an email to dalynwoodard@mail.com requesting to be added to the list. You can also follow Dalyn Woodard (@Dalynsmsings) on Twitter or Unshackled Life Ministries on Facebook.