OUR DAILY BREAD             Sat., March 18, 1995
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READ:  1 Samuel 15:1-23

             90-PERCENT OBEDIENCE?

      "Because you have rejected the word of
    the Lord, He also has rejected you."

                        - 1 Samuel 15:23

As the father of an elementary-age boy, I think I know why
God places so much emphasis on obedience.  Boys can get
themselves into so much difficulty so easily.  I can't
imagine the trouble they would get into if they weren't
required to obey anyone.

Take, for instance, my rule about crossing the street.
Steven knows that he's supposed to stop at the end of the
driveway and look both ways -- whether he is riding his
bike, rollerblading, or just chasing a ball.  I expect
100-percent obedience because I know that it takes only
one careless step into the street to jeopardize his safety.

When God sent Saul to attack the Amalekites for what they
had done to Israel (Ex. 17:8; 1 Sam. 15:2), He expected
the king to obey Him completely.  When he didn't, Saul not
only failed Israel but he disappointed God.  And he had to
suffer the results of disobedience.  As Samuel told him,
God "has rejected you from being king" (v. 23).

The Lord, who is a perfect Father, loves us and knows what
will work out best in our lives.  To show that we trust Him,
we need to do all we can to obey what He has told us in the
Bible, His Word.  He deserves our 100-percent obedience.

                                        -- J. David Branon

        Let your days be Mine to order;
          Where I lead, obedient be.
        Let your own desires be nothing;
             Only seek to follow Me.

                        -- Anon.
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           THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
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     The cost of obedience is nothing
    compared to the cost of disobedience.
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THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:  1 Samuel 14-16

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Our Daily Bread,  Copyright 1995,  used by  permission  of Radio Bible
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This copy  redistributed by Larry Holder (larryh@utm.edu) with express
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(kfoster@sptekwv14.wv.tek.com).  Redistribution is only to individuals
and lists that have expressly consented to receiving a copy.    <><
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