Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 15:1‐16:23, John 7:53‐8:20, Psalm 110:1‐7, Proverbs 15:8‐10

1 Samuel 15:24&30 Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice… 30 Then he said, “I have sinned; yet honor me now before the elders of my people and before Israel, and return with me, that I may bow before the Lord your God.”

Observation:

• Context: Saul has been told by Samuel that God would reject him as king because of his disobedience.
• Saul said the reason for his sin was because he feared the people and obeyed their voice.
• Even after knowing he will be removed as king, Saul is concerned with being honored before people.

Sin in our life happens when the fear of people and the desire for their approval surpasses our fear of God and our desire for his approval.

Apply: I want to make a conscious effort to keep God’s response, and not people’s response, as my goal.

Is the fear of people’s approval pushing you to sin against God?