Obedience is better than sacrifice

I remember when my first born son was about 3 years old. I use to tell him that obedience was better than sacrifice. If he listened to what I said, all would be well, but if he didn't - he would have to sacrifice something - whether that be in the form of a spanking, time out, not being able to do something.

One day, we were riding in the car and it clicked. He was in the back seat saying "obedience IS better than sacrifice."

At 3 years old, he got it.

The problem is, in today's society, we don't think much about sacrifice. We offer lip service in the form of "God if you do this for me, I will/won't do ..." in hopes of buying favor by some action that we will/won't do.

All God really wants is for us to obey what he says.

We want to do things our own way. Some people call it what it is... rebellion. Others call it their own stubbornness. Either way, in the eyes of God, it's all the same.

1 Samuel 15: ²²And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
 ²³For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

If you get a chance, take 10 minutes out of your day, read the 1 Samuel 15. Meditate on it...