Immersed in Peace

When King Saul disobeyed Samuel and then tried to make up for it by offering a sacrifice, he was told: “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” (1 Sam. 15:22). Samuel’s rebuke contains a huge, important truth that we find echoed here in Hosea 6:6 more than a century later. The prophet said, “I desire mercy and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.” In essence, God was saying that the attitude was far more important than ritual.

Samuel’s and Hosea’s words were of great relevance in their respective times and places, but these words are just as important for us today. Peace with God cannot be reduced to a ritual, formula, or routine. Peace with God grows out of a living and loving relationship that includes obeying God (as Samuel says) and showing mercy to others (as Hosea says). This reflects true “knowledge of God” and the way to be immersed in His peace.

Are there areas in which you need to obey and/or show mercy today?