99% Obedience Is 100% Disobedience | 1 Samuel 13:14

Vince Miller Podcast

BUY THE 1 SAMUEL JOURNAL

99% obedience is always 100% disobedience.

Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller.

This week, we are in 1 Samuel 13. I've titled this chapter "Partial Obedience Is Complete Disobedience."

Chapter 13 recounts a single event in the second year of Saul's forty-year reign as king (Acts 13:21). There are four main characters in this chapter. First, Samuel (1 Sam. 13:8), the Judge and Prophet for all the people, still plays a significant role. Second, Saul (1 Sam. 13:1), the King, is grappling with his role as a leader and warrior, a struggle that becomes evident as the chapter unfolds. Third, Jonathan (1 Sam. 13:3), the son of Saul, is introduced here, and his success surpasses that of his father. Fourth, the Israelite enemy, the Philistines (1 Sam. 13:3), are depicted as strong, numerous, armed, and battle-ready.

As we read this chapter, you will see that Saul will make a critical mistake. There is a moment when he will realize that he is outnumbered, outflanked, and under-equipped, and the pressure of the situation will tempt him to do something he wasn't supposed to do. He will circumvent the spiritual process by offering a sacrifice reserved for Samuel's role alone. Out of fear, this one act of disobedience will affect Saul's entire legacy. Because of this, Samuel gives this indictment in verse 14, which is the key verse of this chapter.

But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be prince over his people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you. — 1 Samuel 13:14

For those familiar with the story, this is the first mention of David, a figure who has not been born yet but whose presence is already being felt.

But here is the driving truth of this text and the chapter. Partial obedience is complete disobedience. Or 99% obedience is 100% disobedience.

Most of us don't like this truth. But this is the central truth of this chapter and one of the great truths declared throughout the Bible. We live in a fallen world. We are sinful and have fallen short of God's glory. We may want to be king, but because of our sins, God has his own choice for king. And if you read this verse in light of a New Testament reality, we know that Jesus would come from the line of David and be God's choice for King. Jesus was 0% disobedient; therefore, he was 100% obedient and perfect in all his ways to fulfill these roles when we were not.

As believers, we must come to terms with the enemy who surrounds us. Battles lurching in our lives will rage a war within us. It's the war within that must be fought first. It's the battle within that Saul failed to realize. In his insecurities, he responded in fear and was unable to trust in faith; therefore, he lost it all.

Today, you will fight a battle. It might look like a fight with a broken car, a traffic jam, a disobedient child, a non-compliant worker, a delayed order, a computer crash, or, God forbid, all the above. When this occurs, you will feel subverted and surrounded, and you will be stirred to fight. This is just the enemy stirring you to sin. Instead of jumping to judgment and responding in fear, stop to note the war that is raging within you. Give God your insecurities. Give God your fears. Then, trust God in faith and lean on his sovereignty. His salvation is better than yours because his salvation is 100% obedient.

#PartialObedience, #FaithOverFear, #LessonsFromSaul

Ask This:

1. In what areas of your life might you settle for partial obedience, and how can you shift your approach to align with God’s commands?
2. How do you typically respond to pressure or challenges that overwhelm you? What practical steps can you take to trust God’s sovereignty and maintain faith even in difficult situations?

Do This:

Trust in God's salvation in every battle by faith.

Pray This:

Lord, help me recognize and address areas of partial obedience in my life so I can fully align with Your will. Strengthen my faith to trust in Your sovereignty and guide me through the battles I face each day. Amen.

Play This:

Come Jesus Come.