How to Please God

“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.”

1 Samuel 15:22 (CEV)

What would make God happy? Make a million bucks when you grow up and give it all to him? Build a super beautiful church? Work in a poor country helping people all your life?

Actually, God wants something simpler: he wants you to obey him. That means no rolling your eyes at your parents, or fighting with your brother, or being selfish with your friends. Obeying God means living out his kindness and goodness in all areas of your life.

King Saul, in today’s Bible story, learned that lesson the hard way. God told him to fight against an enemy nation and not take anything the people owned. But when Saul and his warriors saw the good sheep and cattle, they said they would give them to the Lord. Sort of sounds like a good idea, but that was not what God wanted. Because they disobeyed, God’s messenger Samuel, told King Saul that God would no longer be with him and he would no longer be king.

Our focus needs to be on obeying God’s words to us more than giving him big gifts. We need to read God’s Word so we know what to do. We need to make godly choices every day. When we slip up, thankfully, we can ask for forgiveness and keep trying our best to obey God.

SPIRITUAL FITNESS TRAINING

Check up: How are you doing on obeying God’s commands? Whatever you’re struggling with, talk to God about it. Ask him for forgiveness for the times you’ve messed up, and ask him to help you be strong in the future! He will!

PRAY

God, please forgive me for the many times I don’t obey. Help me to do what you ask.

KEEP IT GOING

Related passages: These additional verses will help you expand Scriptural knowledge and place on the armor of God’s Word to tackle each day. Please read...

1 Samuel 15:23

Psalm 40:6

John 6:38

John 14:23–24