He Cared More About Pleasing The People

Then Saul admitted to Samuel, "Yes, I have sinned.  I have disobeyed your instructions and the Lord's command, for I was afraid of the people and did what they demanded."

1 Samuel 15:24

Saul had reached his limit!  He had disobeyed God for the last time as king.  God would reject his kingship and remove him from power because of his disobedience.  But what did he do to get such a bad sentence?  He listened to man instead of God's instructions.  How often do we do the same?  We let man tell us this sin is not really sin.  We let man push us til we break and then we go running to God for forgiveness.  Life is hard!  Following God in a world that encourages us to follow sinful ways and accept sinful lifestyles is not an easy thing to do.  But God still expects us to do it!  No matter how hard it is we are still held accountable to God, and when we worry too much about what man will think we start to stumble.  I am just as guilty as the next friend who has a hard time with this.  Often, like Saul, we want to please people and seek their acceptence, but ultimately if a person asks us to compromise our faith or the commands God asks of us we should walk away and stick with God.  So today I encourage you to encourage others in this task.  Instead of making things harder on people, help them to make godly choices.  Don't join in on their gossip but help them to redirect their conversation so as not to sin against God.  When someone asks you to do something you know is wrong gently tell them you are not interested and trust that God will protect you.  Do what is right and godly even when everyone else is finding fun in the ungodly things.  Surround yourself with people who will correct you and encourage you to stay on the right path.  Most importantly know God's Word.  Spend time developing a relationship with Him and knowing who He is.  This will give you power and encouragement to continue maturing and making the right choices.