Rescuing Grace

“Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.” 1 Samuel 15:22 ESV

King Saul deliberately disobeyed the Lord’s command to ‘utterly destroy’ Amalek and everything associated with him, including the livestock. Instead, he spared Agag and the best of the animals. When Samuel confronted him about his disobedience, Saul tried to rationalize his actions and shift the blame on his men. Ultimately, Saul’s arrogance and pride would lead to his downfall.

Paul Tripp states, “The scary deception of sin is that, at the point of sinning, sin doesn’t look all that sinful.” How true! “It’s just a little fun among friends,” “It’s just this one time,” “I’ll stop after the first drink.” Tripp goes on to say, “Sin is always a matter of thoughts, desires, motives, and choices of the heart . . . We can run from a situation, location, or relationship, but we have no ability whatsoever to escape our hearts; for that, we need rescuing grace.”¹

Perhaps, if Saul had recognized the lies he was trying to sell – to himself, to Samuel, to God – and repented, he could have received God’s rescuing grace. But he didn’t. And because of that, he began a downward spiral that would ultimately lead him far from the young, humble man who was chosen to be king.

Don’t let Saul’s life story be yours. The moment you find yourself rationalizing and making excuses for your behavior, run to God. Ask Him to search your heart and mind. If it doesn’t align with His word, you’ll know you need to confront that behavior, confess it, and change your ways. In His mercy, God will fill you with rescuing grace.

Prayer: Lord, bring to light those lies and self-delusions we often tell ourselves. Speak truth into our minds. Pour grace into our hearts. Keep us accountable – to ourselves, to our friends, but most of all to you – so that we will pursue obedience and holiness. In your name we pray, Amen.

¹ Paul Tripp, New Morning Mercies: A Daily Gospel Devotional