Accountability

The Lord gave Samuel an instruction for Saul which was ‘destroy the Amalekites – everything that moves; human or animal’. Samuel passed along the message to Saul and off Saul went with his army, to destroy the Amalekites. Somewhere in the mix however, not everything was destroyed. “But Saul and the army spared Agag and the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambs—everything that was good. These they were unwilling to destroy completely, but everything that was despised and weak they totally destroyed.” Next comes Samuel after God had already told Him of Saul’s disobedience and when he asks Saul about the bleating of sheep and the lowing of cattle, Saul’s answer is ‘priceless’. Saul answered, “The soldiers brought them from the Amalekites; they spared the best of the sheep and cattle to sacrifice to the Lord your God, but we totally destroyed the rest.” Notice the highlighted texts. When he referred to the things that were spared, it was the soldiers – he Saul, wasn’t a party to it. But when he mentioned what was totally destroyed, it was ‘we’ – now he’s involved…very convenient right?  

Questions: Who did Samuel relay the instruction to and who was given the vision? What vision has God given you that you have not totally obeyed? Does your reason sound in any way like Saul’s? Pause…are those situations coming to mind now?  

When God gives a command, an instruction, a vision etc., it’s not for us to hand over to others to do as they seem fit. God empowers for whatever He asked and that is why He expects results. You, not your siblings, friends, confidant, parents etc., will give account of all that God has committed to you or instructed you about. It’s not about what seems good to those around you. They didn’t send you. God did. Remember, God’s ways are not man’s ways so don’t let man steer you from complete obedience. The blame game doesn’t work with God.  

We know the result of this for Saul was God rejecting him as King and not just him, but his whole lineage. Don’t let acts of disobedience or obedience/deferring to man and not God cost you God’s plans and purposes for your life and generation. And, when you find yourself in this situation, own up to your mess. God already knows anyway and is able to turn that mess to a message if we hand it over to Him.

I pray that by the help of the Holy Spirit, you will be accountable before God and not loose the blessings of obedience in Jesus name.  

Stay connected, 

Bolaji Ajayi