Totally
Here is an online Bible Study that will help you to be totally committed to God.
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What is your definition of totally? The dictionary uses words like completely, entirely, and wholly to describe it.
There is a sad story in 1 Samuel about when God removed His Spirit from King Saul. It’s sad because Saul had convinced himself that he was serving God. It’s sad because many of us have fallen into the same trap that Saul did.
In 1 Samuel 15, God instructed Saul, through the prophet Samuel, to totally destroy the Amalakites. When Saul failed to carry out God’s instructions, Samuel confronted him.
Saul’s response is revealing. “But I did obey the LORD … I went on the mission the LORD assigned me. I completely destroyed the Amalekites and brought back Agag their king. The soldiers took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of what was devoted to God, in order to sacrifice them to the LORD your God at Gilgal” (1 Samuel 15:20, 21).
How can you totally destroy an object or people and still have something to bring back? Isn’t that impossible?
Now, Saul probably didn’t consciously think that he had a better plan than God, but his actions proved that to him, totally didn’t mean one hundred percent. Saul believed it was possible to obey God (mostly) and still do what he wanted.
But obedience isn’t obedience unless it is total.
Do we also think we can serve God and get our own way?
Little compromises, an ounce of pride, a smidgen of selfishness and soon we are thinking that a sacrifice in one area will make up for a lack of “total” obedience in another area.
Like Saul, we have convinced ourselves that it is okay.
Samuel’s words to Saul are words that we too must heed:
“Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of ram” (1 Samuel 15:22).
Heavenly Father, I want to obey You totally. Reveal to me any area where I have convinced myself that I am obeying but am not.
Questions: How do you try to justify partial obedience? What stands in the way of total obedience?
About the Author Suzanne Benner
Daily audio podcast: A second daily devotional, The Stones Cry Out, today on the Men’s Devotional Blog
Thank you for the blessing of this wonderful and very powerful devotional! I shared this with my fellow Deacons as a way to remind us of our true calling and the extent of that calling.
suzanne, thank you and I agree with the other comments made in that this devotional is indeed challenging. as in my old nature it was very easy in convincing myself of many things. in faith, it doesn’t come so easily. my conscience, with the Holy Spirit are working as a team and I know when I’m trying to justify. that doesn’t mean to say that I will do the right thing. a life-time of personal selfishness comes with many many traits that are hard to shake. when I think of the definition of ‘totally’ the first word that came to mind is ”ALL”. I gave my ‘ALL’ to the former manor of which being a sinner was not even an issue. today I give my ”ALL’ but as I am not perfect, I will fail and when I do, I won’t be looking back, I will be calling out to the Lord. the only thing that stands in the way of total obedience is self-reliance. I’v been there and I don’t wish to go back, can’t. I take one day at a time. i’v felt the prayer written here. very powerful words that can’t not be heard by our Lord Jesus Christ.
i needed this today
Yes, this is a devotional that we need to think good and hard about. I know when I was younger I would put my whole heart in the things I did as a servent to the Lord…Prayer, Sunday school teacher, Leader of G A.s and Acteens, Reading God’s Words. Today I find my self saying Lord please don’t forget the things I used to do. I find my self less committed as I use to be. After readilng this devotional I sure don’t want God taking away my Spirit. Each day is a new day and we are responsible and accoutable in our serventhood to God as we obey His will. After reading this devotional I will try to committment my self in obedience to His Word not on how I feel but on committment.
I agree Barbara, this is a tough devotional. I think as humans, we all do the best we can. When God talks to us indirectly we can only pray that we are hearing him correctly and do what he asks to the best of our ability.
This is a tough devotional today for who is to say what total obedience is to God. Each and evryone of us are differant and God is the only one who is to determine what is right for each and everyone of us. We all need to practice “balance” in our daily walk with the LORD. Yes, we are not to be filled with PRIDE but we are to have some what of a high self- esteem. God does not want us going around with a low opinion of ourselves-devaluing what HE has created. Father God, I pray that you direct each and evryone of us through this life according to our personal walk with you.