From: "Phil Rembleski"

Cc:

Sent: Mon, Dec 1, 2025 at 5:02 AM

Subject: 12-1-25 THOUGHTS

12-1-25    THOUGHTS

We have the beginning of the end for Saul as King in our reading today.  It’s an illustration of the “most typical human behavior and reasoning!”  It’s so easy to assume that our thinking is God’s  thinking.  The word “presumption” is used below in the ESV!   Way too many times in my life I have heard one say  “But God doesn’t care if...”  I’d like to let God care, without my help.  I think former King Saul would agree in retrospect.                    

1Sam 15:17-23     Samuel said, "Is it not true, though you were little in your own eyes, you were made the head of the tribes of Israel? And the LORD anointed you king over Israel,  18  and the LORD sent you on a mission, and said, ‘Go and utterly destroy the sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are exterminated.’ 19  "Why then did you not obey the voice of the LORD, but rushed upon the spoil and did what was evil in the sight of the LORD?"  20  Then Saul said to Samuel, "I did obey the voice of the LORD, and went on the mission on which the LORD sent me, and have brought back Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.  21  "But the people took some of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the choicest of the things devoted to destruction, to sacrifice to the LORD your God at Gilgal."  22  Samuel said, "Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams.  23  "For rebellion is as the sin of divination, And insubordination [ presumption ESV] is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has also rejected you from being king."

Our Prayer:
We offer our thanksgiving and praise to our glorious God.  You are the source of all blessings.
Help us to simply obey, and keep us from presumptuous sin. Please help us as we seek to love You with all our heart, soul and mind.  May we abide in Your presence.   In the name of Jesus, Amen.