I Samuel 15 contains the story of Saul's disobedience when fighting the Amalekites. This is a story of following God's instructions as well as the importance God places on sanctification.
God informed Samuel He would give the Amalekites to the Israelites but instructed them to COMPLETELY destroy EVERYTHING. In case that was obvious enough, He spelled it out for him and listed items He wanted destroyed.
Well Saul and the Israelites struck down the Amalekites but instead of destroying, they captured the king and left him alive and took the best of the livestock and everything else. God said destroy it ALL but the Israelites chose to pick and choose what they deemed worthy enough to keep. Their rationale was, we only saved the best. We destroyed the weak and sick, and worthless and unwanted things. We only kept what was strong and healthy and easy on the eyes. Anyone see the problem with this? The bible says the Israelites were not willing to destroy them (referring to what they considered the best of everything).
God gave them specific instructions yet they were not willing to follow through with them. They thought they knew better than God. Now there were times when God allowed the Israelites to keep the plunders of war but this is not one of those occasions. God wanted the Israelites to trust Him to know what was best for them. God wanted to sanctify the land. The Amalekites were unclean and unholy people which means everything they owned, regardless of how beautiful or strong it appeared, was unclean. God wanted sanctification but the Israelites were not willing to destroy "the best" of what they found.
How many times have we been given instructions by God to remove something from our lives but we only do a 1/2 way job? How many times have we tried to hang on to the best of what the world has to offer? It's easy to give up the ugly and weak things. It's much easier to get rid of those things in our lives, but what about the more appealing things? The things some times we don't see as sin but God is still calling us to remove from our lives so we can live a more holy and sanctified life. Certain TV shows we know we shouldn't be watching. Movies that are not appropriate. Food we eat too much of even though we know it's bad for our health. People at work with whom we spend too much time and notice some of their bad habits rubbing off on us. Maybe God wants you to give up some things so you can spend more time with him. What are some things in your life you feel God may want you to get rid of so you can live closer to him? Don't just look at the ugly things. Take the time to truly reflect on all things in your life, even the pretty and attractive things. Seek God's will and begin to sanctify your life so you can be obedient to God and please him with your life.
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