It landed on the bed right next to my dad. My dad came out holding the baseball in his hand. “Didn’t I tell you not to throw the ball against the steps?” “But it was an accident,” I replied. With one quick step he grabbed me and walloped my behind. “You were warned,” he said. At the time I didn’t think it was fair. But looking back I now know that I deserved every spanking I ever received and a lot I didn’t get. (Hebrews 12:3-11)

In his book Under Cover, John Bevere deals with the “The Consequences of Disobedience” in Chapter 6. He illustrates the life of King Saul and gives us a vivid picture of what transpires when a person flirts with disobedience. Saul had a message from God to totally annihilate the wicked Amelek and all their livestock. Saul immediately led his army out to war. But spared the best of the livestock and captured the king of Amelek and brought him back alive. The prophet Samuel was sent by God to confront Saul concerning his disobedience. (I Samuel 15) Saul maintained his innocence and claimed he had obeyed God! When Samuel pointed out the sheep that were brought back, Saul made an excuse that they were saved for sacrifice to God. The Prophet replied, “Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice and to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry” (I Samuel 15:22-23). “Partial obedience is not obedience at all in the eyes of God,” says Bevere. Because of disobedience and rebellion, Saul, like multitudes of people, had lost out with God and forfeited God’s blessings and protection from the enemy.

God wants to bless us. But there is a condition – “If you be willing and obedient you shall eat of the good of the land” (Isaiah 1:19). If you have been disobedient and rebellious like David was, acknowledge it to God. (Psalm 119:67, 75) Through Jesus there is forgiveness and cleansing. Pray David’s prayer – “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10-11).