Saul refused to obey the Lord’s commands. Further, Saul justified his disobedience in the language of worship and sacrifice. The Lord, however, was not pleased; He rejected Saul’s intended worship, Saul’s excuses, and Saul as king because the Lord delights in faithful obedience.

What are some characteristics that accompany faithful obedience?

## My Mission

Because we have trusted in Christ, the King of kings, for our salvation, we seek to put away all disobedience and submit fully to Him, so that the world will experience redemption through Him and enter into God’s kingdom.

###### • are some ways you will stop following your own heart to follow the Lord’s in faithful obedience? • are some ways you will stop following your own heart to follow the Lord’s in faithful obedience? How can your group lead one another toward holiness and away from rebellion? • Whom will you confront in their rebellion and call them to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ? •

• from Church History • from Church History “This is the greatest fault under which humanity labors, that after sinning they take refuge in excuses rather • 2 than prostrate themselves with repentant confession.” –Cassiodorus (c. 490-583)

## Daily Study

### Day 1: Read 1 Samuel 8

The Israelites had been led by a series of judges and prophets for generations, but as they turned their gaze toward the nations surrounding them, they noticed that the nations were all led by kings. So they wanted this too—to be led by a king—and that was where they made their tragic mistake. The problem was not necessarily in wanting a king—God had said they would have kings (Gen. 17:6,16; 35:11; 49:10; Num. 24:7,17-19)—but in taking their eyes off of God and placing them on the nations around them. The root reason why their demand for a king displeased God was because the people chose the pagan nations around them as a template for their lives rather than God and His word. They rejected their call to be a holy nation serving a holy God and instead sought to blend into their surroundings. God did not call His people to be cultural chameleons but countercultural lions who followed His lead and timing and looked forward to “the Lion from the tribe of Judah”—Jesus Christ (Rev. 5:5; see Gen. 49:8-12), and He has called us to be the same.

In what ways might you be tempted to blend in instead of stand out for your faith in God?

### Day 2: Read 1 Samuel 9–10

Let there be no doubt: Saul was an impressive man (9:2). When the Israelites thought of the archetype for a king, surely Saul was at the top of the list. He was impressive, and that is a core characteristic of a king. A king who is impressive is easier to follow and easier for other nations to fear. Little did the Israelites know, although they should have, that God was teaching them an important lesson. God was showing His people that their hope should not based on the leader of their imaginations but rather on one of His provision. The Israelites did not need a king who was tall, handsome, or who would strike fear into their enemies. They needed a king who, through his humility, would lead them, the enemies of God, into restored relationship with Him. God would show the Israelites this through