October 4th, 1952 “Obedience to God’s Commandment” Late Mr. N. Daniel

I Samuel.15:1-35."Samuel also said unto Saul, the Lord sent me to anoint thee to be king over His people, …and the Lord repented that He had made Saul king over Israel."

This story took place years ago. We cannot judge it from Christian standards. It is in Christ we find perfect morality and proper human relationships. The prophets of old were only partial instructors. They could understand only to a certain limit. In the beginning man used to recompense evil ten times. But gradually God taught them. Moses taught them to stop with 'One tooth for one tooth.' Man was so depraved that He could not teach more than that. When the time was ripe, Christ came and taught all the proper principles. He said, "I will send my Spirit who will teach you all things."

As you grow more in Christ, you will understand more. Here, in this chapter, certain strange things happened. In those days some nations were absolutely wicked. During World War I, there came up a deadly disease which was very contagious and there was no cure. The victims were taken away into a distant island and the relatives were informed they were dead. Similarly in those days God had to allow the destruction of certain very wicked nations that would not take in any good. The Amalekites were such a nation. When Israel was traveling towards the promised land, the Amalekites did all the treacherous things they could. Now when they were established in the promised land, God asked them to destroy all the Amalekites like Sodom and Gomorrah. Sodom and Gomorrah were like poison. Nothing would do them good and they were beyond correction. When nothing can do a man good and he will take no correction, God will allow his destruction.

Here, Saul received a command in the beginning to destroy the Amalekites utterly. But he preserved certain cattle and he said it was to offer to God. He was bringing in God's name that which satisfied his own covetous nature. Worship is inborn in man. One cannot destroy religion. Even criminal tribes worshipped something or other. People want religion and prayer everywhere. But what kind of religion? Here they are adopting a very clever method of covering their covetousness. When Samuel came, Saul said, “I have performed the commandment of the Lord." And Samuel said, “What meaneth this bleating of the sheep and the lowing of the oxen?” “That is only a few cattle to offer to God.” When one is made king of God's people, one should be very careful and firm. It is better to lose a job than to lose one's principles. Absolute obedience to God will lift you one day. Cutting across God's laws is dangerous.

Saul said that he wanted to offer to God. Samuel said, “Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice. Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.” Rebellion is in the human heart. Our nature has been a rebellious nature. Parents teach us obedience sometimes with a cane. God also teaches us obedience - obedience to the highest laws. This will make us God-like. And God will use us to serve our people. Your joy will consist in giving, serving and spending yourself rather than in receiving or grabbing things from others. God obeys His laws perfectly and He wishes to teach us the same kind of obedience. God has given us His laws out of love.

When the English were ruling India, so many of our people went to England to learn certain industries. They would be shown the working, but they would not reveal their trade secrets to us. These people would come back and try it out, but it would be all a failure. God in giving us His laws has revealed His trade secrets to us. A father does not hide trade secrets from His children. God is love. He says, “My children, obey my commandments.” What is the result? Please read John 15:7, John 14:14,15.

Young people, you are working hard for your degrees to earn a salary. What is a salary compared to the love of God? If the love of God and the faith of God operate in you, what a power you will be! How superior to the rest of the people in your profession! Peter kept the commandment, and what a lot of good he did to the world! If you do not have honesty and purity of character, the money entrusted to you as an engineer will not go into the structures you build. God asks us to learn His trade secrets and be perfect as our Heavenly Father.

Those who follow Christ must not think that they are making great sacrifices. You are making a great gain. Your discipline, your restraint, your love and your holiness are great gain. Do not think God's laws are a burden, and do not think His discipline is a burden. God wants us to be perfect: “Take my qualities into you - my love, faith and holiness and be perfect as I am.” Every parent disciplines his child. Do not be afraid of anything as long as you keep the commandment. Your brother and sister will follow you. You just do what God has given you. You may have weaknesses. Acknowledge them and go forward. Out of your weakness you will be made strong. God is love. Keep the commandments that made Christ a perfect man. Amen.