In Need Of... Obedience.

There are many things that we can give to God... and there are many things that we can give up for God...

But what does God really want?

Does He want your money? Your talent? Your family? Your time?

Samuel offers this:
"Has 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..." (I Samuel 15:22)

God wants obedience above all.

God desires for us to obey Him. And that's what it all comes down to.
We can lead perfect lives if we obey His word, if we listen to His voice.

Look at Abraham... (Genesis 22:1-18)

God gave Abraham a son, and his name was Isaac. This son was to be the heir of Abraham.
At one point, God told Abraham to take his son up a hill and sacrifice him.
Abraham obeyed.
God provided.
Isaac lived.
Abraham was blessed by God.

God provided Abraham with a ram to sacrifice in Isaac's place.

God did not really want Isaac to be sacrificed. He wanted to ensure that Abraham was in complete obedience to His voice. He wanted to make sure that Abraham loved Him more than anything else in the world. So that He could give Abraham the honour of being the ancestor of God's chosen people.

When Abraham listened, without understanding... God provided. God will never lead you where He cannot keep you. God doesn't want to take your life, He wants to give you better life... and the best life you could have is when you follow His leading, and take heed to His Word.