How often have you heard someone say they would rather ask for forgiveness than for permission? They were saying that they were determined to do what they wanted to even though something was telling them they shouldn't. So, they would just ignore the warning, go ahead and it would be okay because they could ask for forgiveness later. Doesn't work that way.
In 1 Samuel 15 we are told that
"To obey is better than sacrifice."
Sacrifices are how God established a way to forgiveness for sin in Moses' day. It pointed the way to the supreme sacrifice of Jesus Christ hundreds of years later. In this passage He is telling us through Samuel that God is much happier with obedience than with asking for forgiveness. Asking forgiveness for something may erase it from God's memory but, guess what, it doesn't erase it from our own.
Have you ever done or said something that hurt another person? Even though that person may have forgiven you and God has forgiven you, it doesn't leave your conscience that easily. Often it lingers and the event replays itself in your mind over and over and you feel those pangs of regret and embarrasement over and over for what you have done.
Have you ever said this? " I know better than to eat this but I'm going to anyway." Unfortunately, I have. The result.... I don't feel well after. Maybe I feel lethargic or my tummy swells or I have heartburn. Or maybe for others it is that second or third or fourth drink or another cigarette. "Knowing better" or "I know I shouldn't" means STOP!
God is so gracious in giving us that builtin firewall past which we shouldn't go. He also gave us free will so whether we do or don't do something is up to us. We are shown over and over that obeying Him is so much more satisfying than not obeying and having to ask for forgiveness later.
Precious Lord, Jehovah Rapha,
Thank You for showing us the limits past which we should not go. We thank You for forgiving us but we thank You even more for teaching us what to do in order to live for you. Thank You for showing us what to eat and how to treat our bodies so that we are better able to serve You. Thank You for showing us how to treat others so that we are always a reflection of Your love and grace.
Lord, today we are asking special healing mercies for another young man fighting the enemy. Tony Colton is so very sick right now and we are believing that You, Jehovah Rapha the God who heals, are strengthening his body for this battle and empowering his immune system to destroy every cancer cell in his body. Let Him be an example of Your hand at work as he grows in You through this journey.
We ask these things in the name of Jesus Christ, the name above cancer, the name above all names.
Amen
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