FAITH CAPSULE: listening disability compiles the challenges of hearing but lack understand to deliver God’s command.

1 Samuel 15

God sent Samuel to Saul “Now go and attack Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and do not spare them. But kill both man and woman, infant and nursing child, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.” (1 Samuel 15:3) Saul heard the message of God but could not listen to comply as commanded. Hearing and not listening is the evidence of incomplete obedience. The bible recorded Saul’s half-obedience, “But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep, the oxen, the fatlings, the lambs, and all that was good, and were unwilling to utterly destroy them. But everything despised and worthless, that they utterly destroyed.” (1 Samuel 15:9) Saul was not commanded to excuse any man or woman but he spared a man called Agag. There was Agag issue in the life of Saul. In the issue of Agag, Saul delivered half obedience before God; Saul attempted to manage God for God; Saul made choice to disallow God’s choice. Man or messenger can be deceived but God cannot be deceived.
Are you engaging the issue of Agag in your life?
Saul heard but could not listen to comply. Hearing with no understanding is the evidence of not listening. Jesus’ addressed some but definitely speaks to man stating, “Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word.” (John 8:43) Evidently, listening disability compiles the challenges of hearing but lack understand to deliver God’s command.  Saul disobeyed God by executing God’s command at his own convenience. Saul’s disobedience replaced him out of the presence of God. In your hearing and listening to the word of God allow obedience but not half-obedient become your way of life.
After the death of Samuel whom the Lord had been using for Saul, there was a need for Saul to hear from God before confronting war against the Philistines. Saul inquired of the Lord, but there was no answer because his disobedience took away his privilege of accessing God. The war ahead of King Saul made his heart tremble while he could not hear from God. The Bible recorded in 1 Samuel 28:6, “And when Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD did not answer him, either by dreams or by Urim or by the prophets.” King Saul turned to another medium but could not get answer for his challenge. Saul’s disobedience denied his access to God.
Disobedience of Saul led to Saul’s departure from the presence of God and brought upon him eventual destruction. God is a perfect manager that knows the end from the beginning. Never try to add or take away from His command.

Prayer for today: Ask for the grace of God to keep you in His presence all the days He has given you on earth.