Wholehearted Obedience: Trusting God's Call and Wisdom

Devotional

Day 1: Obedience is Better Than Sacrifice

True obedience to God means following His commands fully, not just partially or in ways that seem right to us. When we hold back or try to justify our own preferences, we risk missing out on God’s best and even allowing the very things we cling to become our downfall. God desires our wholehearted surrender, not just outward acts or spiritual-sounding excuses. He sees through our attempts to rationalize disobedience and calls us to trust that His way is always better, even when it’s hard or doesn’t make sense in the moment. [55:35]

1 Samuel 15:22-23 (ESV):
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. 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.”

Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you are holding back full obedience to God, perhaps justifying it as “good enough”? What would it look like to surrender that area completely to Him today?

Day 2: God Looks at the Heart, Not the Outward Appearance

God’s perspective is radically different from ours—He is not impressed by outward appearances, status, or what seems impressive to people. Instead, He looks at the heart, seeking those who are humble, faithful, and willing to be used by Him. Even when others overlook us or we feel insignificant, God sees our true character and potential. He chooses and empowers those whose hearts are aligned with His, regardless of how they may appear on the outside. [01:05:28]

1 Samuel 16:7 (ESV):
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

Reflection: In what ways have you been tempted to judge yourself or others by outward standards? How can you intentionally focus on cultivating a heart that pleases God this week?

Day 3: The Consequences of Partial Obedience

When we only partially obey God, we may think we are doing enough, but the consequences can be far-reaching and even tragic. Saul’s failure to fully carry out God’s command led to his own downfall and allowed the very enemy he was supposed to defeat to ultimately destroy him. God’s instructions are given for our good and His greater purposes, even when we don’t see the whole picture. Trusting and obeying Him completely protects us from future harm and aligns us with His will. [01:01:35]

1 Samuel 15:18-19 (ESV):
“And the Lord sent you on a mission and said, ‘Go, devote to destruction the sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are consumed.’ Why then did you not obey the voice of the Lord? Why did you pounce on the spoil and do what was evil in the sight of the Lord?”

Reflection: Can you recall a time when not fully following God’s direction led to unintended consequences? What is one step you can take today to trust God’s wisdom, even when you don’t see the whole story?

Day 4: God Uses All Things for Good

Even when situations seem broken or people fail, God is still at work, weaving all things together for His good purposes. The story of Saul’s failure and David’s anointing reminds us that God’s plans are not thwarted by human mistakes. He can redeem even the most difficult circumstances and bring about new beginnings. Our role is to keep following Him, trusting that He is sovereign and faithful to fulfill His promises, no matter what. [01:03:28]

Romans 8:28 (ESV):
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Reflection: Where in your life do you need to trust that God is working for good, even if you can’t see it yet? How can you choose to keep following Him in faith today?

Day 5: The Power and Joy of Simple, Childlike Faith

God delights in those who come to Him with simple, sincere faith—trusting Him, talking to Him, and stepping out in obedience, even if they don’t have all the answers or experience. Like the young girl who prayed for the first time for someone else, God can use anyone who is willing to seek Him and respond to His leading. You don’t need to have it all together or know everything; you just need to be available and open to what God wants to do through you. [47:16]

Matthew 18:2-4 (ESV):
And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

Reflection: What is one simple step of faith or obedience you can take today, trusting that God can use you just as you are?

Sermon Summary

This morning, we were reminded of the simple yet profound truth that God desires our obedience above all else. Through a story about a young girl’s first steps in prayer and a deep dive into the life of King Saul, we saw how God works through ordinary people who are willing to trust Him, even when they don’t have all the answers or qualifications. The young girl’s willingness to pray, despite her inexperience, is a beautiful picture of how God delights in our sincere steps of faith. Her story challenges us to step out, pray for others, and trust that God can use us, no matter our age or background.

Turning to 1 Samuel 15 and 16, we examined Saul’s tragic failure to obey God completely. Saul’s partial obedience—keeping back what he thought was valuable and blaming others for his shortcomings—reveals the danger of rationalizing disobedience. God’s command was clear, but Saul’s compromise led to devastating consequences, not just for himself but for the nation. The sobering reality is that what we refuse to surrender to God can ultimately become our downfall. Saul’s story is a warning: incomplete obedience is disobedience, and God sees through our attempts to justify or spiritualize our actions.

Yet, even in the midst of Saul’s failure, God’s faithfulness shines through. He chooses David, the least likely son, not because of outward appearance but because of his heart. This reminds us that God’s ways are not our ways; He looks beyond what people see and values a heart that is surrendered and willing. The Spirit of God came upon David, and today, that same Spirit is available to all who trust in Jesus. We are called to live in the fullness of that Spirit, walking in obedience and trusting God’s wisdom over our own.

As we reflect on these truths, the invitation is clear: lay down what God asks, trust His perspective, and walk in wholehearted obedience. Whether it’s a first prayer or a lifelong journey, God honors those who listen and respond to His voice. Let us be people who obey, not just in part, but with our whole hearts, knowing that God’s plans are always for our good and His glory.

Key Takeaways

1. Obedience Over Sacrifice: God values our obedience more than any outward act of worship or sacrifice. Partial obedience, like Saul’s, is still disobedience, and rationalizing our actions does not fool God. True obedience means surrendering even what seems valuable to us, trusting that God’s wisdom surpasses our own. [55:35]
2. The Danger of Unfinished Surrender: What we refuse to fully surrender to God can eventually become the very thing that undoes us. Saul’s failure to destroy the Amalekites led to his own downfall at their hands, illustrating that incomplete obedience can have far-reaching consequences. Trusting God’s commands, even when we don’t see the whole picture, protects us from future harm. [61:35]
3. God Looks at the Heart: While people are often impressed by outward appearances, God is concerned with the condition of our hearts. David was chosen not for his stature or status, but for his heart’s posture toward God. This challenges us to cultivate inner character and sincerity, knowing that God’s approval is not based on what others see. [65:28]
4. The Power and Presence of the Spirit: The same Spirit that empowered David is available to every believer today. We are not left to obey in our own strength; God’s Spirit equips and enables us to walk in His ways. This truth should fill us with hope and confidence as we step out in faith and obedience. [68:06]
5. Responding to God’s Call: Whether it’s a child’s first prayer or a believer’s next step of faith, God honors those who respond to His leading. Obedience is not about perfection but about a willing heart that says “yes” to God. Each act of obedience, no matter how small, is significant in God’s eyes and can have a lasting impact. [01:10:56]
** [70:56]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[47:16] - Jesus’ Words of Grace
[48:51] - God’s Command to Saul
[50:31] - Saul’s Partial Obedience
[51:37] - Saul’s Rationalization and Blame
[52:42] - Saul’s Self-Deception
[54:04] - Samuel Confronts Saul
[54:52] - The Cost of Disobedience
[55:35] - To Obey is Better Than Sacrifice
[57:02] - Saul’s Hollow Repentance
[58:06] - The Kingdom is Torn Away
[59:41] - Samuel Executes Justice
[61:35] - The Consequences of Disobedience
[63:28] - God’s Sovereign Plan Continues
[65:28] - God Looks at the Heart
[67:26] - David Anointed as King
[68:06] - The Spirit Comes Upon David
[70:56] - Responding to God’s Call
[75:32] - Testimony of Obedience in Baptism
[76:37] - Prayer and Blessing
[79:46] - Closing and Fellowship

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What specific instructions did God give Saul regarding the Amalekites, and how did Saul respond to those instructions? (1 Samuel 15:2-3, 7-9)
How did Saul try to justify his actions when Samuel confronted him about his disobedience? [54:04]
What was God’s response to Saul’s partial obedience, and what were the consequences for Saul? (1 Samuel 15:22-23, 28)
When Samuel went to anoint the next king, what did God say about how He chooses people? (1 Samuel 16:7)

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Saul chose to keep some of the Amalekite possessions and King Agag alive, even though God’s command was clear? What does this reveal about Saul’s heart and priorities? [50:31]
How does Saul’s attempt to blame others and spiritualize his disobedience reflect common ways people today might rationalize not fully obeying God? [54:04]
What does it mean that “to obey is better than sacrifice”? Why is obedience so important to God, even more than religious acts or offerings? (1 Samuel 15:22) [55:35]
In choosing David, God said He looks at the heart rather than outward appearance. What does this teach us about God’s values compared to human values? (1 Samuel 16:7) [01:05:28]

Application Questions

The sermon shared a story about a young girl who prayed for the first time, even though she felt inexperienced. Is there an area in your life where you feel unqualified or hesitant to step out in faith? What is one small step you could take this week to trust God and obey Him, even if you feel unprepared? [00:00]
Saul’s downfall began with holding back what he thought was valuable instead of surrendering it to God. Is there something in your life—an attitude, habit, possession, or relationship—that you are struggling to fully surrender to God? What would it look like to lay it down completely? [51:37]
Saul tried to blame others and make excuses for his disobedience. When you are confronted with your own mistakes or sin, do you tend to make excuses, blame others, or rationalize your actions? How can you practice honest confession and take responsibility before God? [54:04]
God chose David because of his heart, not his status or appearance. In what ways are you tempted to focus on outward success or what others think, rather than cultivating a heart that pleases God? How can you shift your focus this week? [01:05:28]
The same Spirit that empowered David is available to every believer today. Are you relying on your own strength to obey God, or are you asking for the Holy Spirit’s help? What is one area where you need to invite the Spirit’s power and guidance? [01:08:06]
The sermon warned that what we refuse to surrender can eventually become our downfall. Can you think of a time when holding onto something led to negative consequences in your life or faith? What did you learn from that experience? [01:01:35]
Responding to God’s call doesn’t require perfection, just a willing heart. What is one act of obedience—big or small—that you sense God is inviting you to take this week? How can the group support you in taking that step? [01:10:56]

Sermon Clips

One of the greatest words that Jesus could have ever shared to that lady, Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more. I hope that it's comforting to your mind and your heart, that God is faithful to forgive those who are broken and those who are far from him. [00:47:16] (16 seconds) #FaithfulForgivenessHeals

Listen to God and obey his word. Listen to God and obey his word. If you find yourself doing that the rest of your life, my friends, you will be blessed by the presence of the Lord Almighty always. [00:51:22] (15 seconds) #BlessedByObedience

But Saul saw some things that he thought he would want to hold on to. And he didn't obey the word of the Lord. He took upon himself some things that he thought were precious. And he's like, oh, I'll destroy all of these bad things. They're worth nothing. But these things, I'm going to hold on to. No one's going to really know. I'll just hang on to it. We have a lot of people now. So it's just going to kind of fade into the background, if you will. [00:51:37] (27 seconds) #HiddenSinHurts

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. You need to memorize that verse. To obey is better than sacrifice. And listen, than the fat of rams. For rebellion is the sin of divination, and presumption is an iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king. [00:55:46] (35 seconds) #ObedienceOverSacrifice

This seems like a bad story. The first king of Israel being a moron. But God is saying, I'm going to use all things for good. I've got a kingdom. I've got a purpose. Just keep following me. Trust me. [01:03:32] (19 seconds) #GodUsesAllThings

So the outward appearance of this man probably looked really stout, really amazing. That's a great looking king. He looks awesome. But the Lord said to Samuel, do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature because I have rejected him. And this is another verse you should memorize. For the Lord sees not as man sees. Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart. [01:05:01] (27 seconds) #HeartOverAppearance

Here's how you and I are similar to David. Today in 2025, the spirit of God is in this place. And many who have repented and believed in Jesus. Now you have that same spirit that David came upon. So that should bring a smile and excitement to your mind and your heart that you have the greatest power source ever living in you. And when God calls you to do something, obey his way is way better. [01:08:19] (33 seconds) #SpiritEmpowersObedience

We thank you for passages like this that you can show us what not to be in this world. How not to respond. How not to act. So Lord, we're just confessing to you that we're just as guilty. We have been guilty. But Lord, we do trust you. And we're trying to say that not just with our lips, but with our lives. And so Lord, when you call us to do something, I pray we would walk in obedience. For no other reason but just by blessing your name. And whatever good comes out of it, it's yours. It's not ours. [01:09:23] (38 seconds) #ConfessAndObey

Don't be like King Saul. Saul. Be the man or the woman, the child that God has called you to be and obey his leading. If you know that God is calling you to be baptized, come. Be obedient. Follow through baptism. Walk in his light. [01:11:06] (19 seconds) #ObeyGodsCalling

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