Spoiled Treasure

God told me to give it up, but I just couldn’t see myself without it. I conquered the obstacle...or did the obstacle conquer me? He gave me the win, he told me the spoils were not mine to attempt to keep; but I was captured by the moment. I decided to go against the will of the Lord, and now I’m sulking. My anointing is now fractured, and I’m losing ground. My spoils have become my treasures, and my heart is lost in the transaction.

Why didn’t I listen? What made me keep, when I should’ve let go? Looking back on the situation, was it worth it? Did I become a spoil to myself? -Saul the “Spoiled” King

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21

I imagine Saul had many regrets, as he was anointed, and chosen to be the King, by God, through the prophet Samuel. Saul was given instructions.

“Go and attack the Amalekites! Destroy them and all their possessions. Don’t have any pity. Kill their men, women, children, and even their babies. Slaughter their cattle, sheep, camels, and donkeys.” (1 Samuel 15:3)

God was redeeming the Israelites from their enemy the Amalekites; who ambushed them when they came out of Egypt. Saul did not follow these instructions.

Saul and his army let Agag live, and they also spared the best sheep and cattle. They didn’t want to destroy anything of value, so they only killed the animals that were worthless or weak. (1 Samuel 15:9)

Partial obedience is still considered disobedience. Imagine telling your child to wash the dishes; only to come home and find that they just cleaned the silverware, leaving the sink full of dirty dishes. Should you praise them for their effort? Is this a job well done?

Where in your life are you being partially obedient? Where have you yet to surrender the spoils that were never meant for you to keep? Are you remaining at a job that God told you to leave, so that you can spend more time with your family? Are you focusing on financial gain; while this desire is festering, and spoiling your heart; leaving you weak and compromised to the deceiver?

Somewhere Saul let his will over-run the will of God. This wasn’t the only time he decided to do his own thing. Saul moved without conviction from the Lord.

“What have you done?” asked Samuel.

Saul replied, “When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Mikmash, I thought, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the Lord’s favor.’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering.” (1 Samuel 13:11-14)

“You have done a foolish thing,” Samuel said. “You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.”

Saul did not comply with the instructions that were given to him from the prophet Samuel.

“Go down ahead of me to Gilgal. I will surely come down to you to sacrifice burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, but you must wait seven days until I come to you and tell you what you are to do.” (1 Samuel 10:8)

How many of us are operating with minimal visibility, and a deaf ear to the holy spirit? We can hear that we will be a great success, and that everything we do will prosper; but then we deny the work behind the calling. Maybe God has tinged your heart about drinking, and you comply with everything else ...but that, or when it’s convenient you will oblige, outside of a social setting.

Possibly, God is cleansing your mind from lust, and perversion, calling you to rid yourself of a favorite television show, a book, or a film that takes you there every time. Maybe the call is not as invasive as Saul’s, but we are still being called everyday. Are you complying to the will of God for your life?

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. (John 10:24)

Don’t leave the presence of the Lord to honor your own. Without him, without the anointing of the Father, Saul was just a man with a stronghold. He had something to prove. Where did that lead him?

“Tell me,” Samuel said. “Does the Lord really want sacrifices and offerings? No! He doesn’t want your sacrifices. He wants you to obey him. Rebelling against God or disobeying him because you are proud is just as bad as worshiping idols or asking them for advice. You refused to do what God told you, so God has decided that you can’t be king.” (1 Samuel 15:22-23)

This breaks through the notion that we cannot lose our calling. God does not take it away from us, but we can forfeit the call when we don’t obey the Lord. Samuel admits to fearing the reproach of people.

“I have sinned,” Saul admitted. “I disobeyed both you and the Lord. I was afraid of the army, and I listened to them instead. Please forgive me and come back with me so I can worship the Lord.” (1 Samuel 15:24-25)

What have you forfeited due to complacency, or fear? This can be fear of what others will think, fear of being left out, or fear of the unknown; not wanting to expand beyond what you are comfortable with. Today, let go... and be reconciled to the one that knows you better than anyone else.

Don’t rest in the spoils, but bask in the treasures of the Lord: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. He has a purpose for your life; he knows what will satisfy your heart better than you do. Let go of fear, and step into who God has ordained you to be.

Prayer

Forgive me for I have sinned

I have feared the outcome, more than the increase of your spirit. Create in me a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within me.

Help me to follow the instructions you have set before me in your word.

Help me to not lust after the things of this world,

but be transformed by the renewing of my mind. I give away the things that I hold on to, that you have repeatedly prompted me to let go.

Forgive me for my stubbornness.

I love you dearly

In Jesus’ name, I pray,

Amen.