God’s pleasure

1Samuel 15:22 Then Samuel said: Does the Lord take pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? Look: to obey is better than sacrifice, to pay attention [is better] than the fat of rams.

So, in our contemporary culture we are reminded by an ancient prophet that God would rather have us paying attention, and being obedient, rather than offering sacrifices because of our disobedience.

How many of us have clamored for secular leadership, a king if you will, rather than following the commands of God Himself! Israel got what she wanted … a flesh and blood idol named Saul. Israel wanted to be like every other nation rather than being a nation after God’s heart.

When have we asked for, and received, what we wanted rather than what God desired for us? What are the consequences of this pattern of behavior? How are individuals, communities and nations affected?