Over the past week, I’ve been continuing my quiet time in the Old Testament. I am now in 1 Samuel, and one theme has been standing out to me so strongly: the repeated disobedience of Israel.
Time after time, God’s people turned away from Him. Time after time, they cried out for help when life became unbearable. And time after time, God—full of mercy—came to their rescue.
It’s both heartbreaking and eye-opening. Heartbreaking, because of how much pain it must have caused God. Eye-opening, because when I reflect honestly, I realize that their story is also ours.
Israel’s Pattern of Disobedience
Throughout the Old Testament, we see this recurring cycle:
- The people disobey God.
- They suffer the consequences of their choices.
- They cry out to God for help.
- God, in mercy, delivers them.
And yet, despite being saved, the people often went right back into their old ways.
In 1 Samuel, this pattern became especially clear. Despite God’s faithful deliverance, the Israelites still demanded a king to rule them—rejecting God as their true King. Samuel warned them that having a king would come with consequences: their sons would be drafted into armies, their daughters taken to serve in palaces, and heavy taxes would burden the land (1 Samuel 8). Still, they insisted.
And yet—even after their rejection—God showed mercy.
“About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin. Anoint him to be the leader of my people, Israel. He will rescue them from the Philistines, for I have looked down on my people in mercy and have heard their cry.”
—1 Samuel 9:16 (NLT)
This verse struck me deeply. Even in His sadness, even when His people turned away, God still looked upon them with mercy. He still heard their cries. He still rescued them.
Lord and Savior: Both, Not One
As I reflected, I realized something: Israel wanted God as their Savior, but not their Lord. They wanted His help, His rescue, His blessings. But they did not want His rule, His authority, or His commands.
Doesn’t this sound familiar? How often do we, too, cry out to Jesus as our Savior but struggle to honor Him as our Lord?
We want salvation, but not submission. We want comfort, but not correction. We want blessings, but not boundaries.
And yet, the Bible reminds us:
“If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
—Romans 10:9 (NLT)
Notice the word Lord. Salvation is not just about believing Jesus died for us—it’s also about surrendering our lives to Him as King and Master.
This truth is both convicting and liberating. Convicting, because it reveals how often we fall short. Liberating, because it reminds us that Jesus continues to extend mercy, just as God did with Israel.
What Does It Mean That Jesus Is Lord?
The word Lord means someone with power, authority, and rule. In biblical terms, it means King and Master. If Jesus is Lord, then we are His servants.
This means that following Him isn’t optional—it’s a daily decision to submit to His leadership, trust His wisdom, and obey His commands, even when it’s hard.
So how do we live this out in our everyday lives?
Here are three practical ways to follow Jesus as Lord:
1. Obedience to the King’s Commands
Obedience is not always easy. In fact, one of the most sobering stories in 1 Samuel is Saul’s disobedience. God commanded Saul to completely destroy the Amalekites, but Saul spared the king and kept some of the best livestock as “offerings.”
On the surface, it looked like devotion. But in reality, it was disobedience.
“But Samuel replied, ‘What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams. Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols. So because you have rejected the command of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.’”
—1 Samuel 15:22–23 (NLT)
Obedience means trusting that God’s ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8–9). Sometimes we think we know better, or we try to “modify” God’s instructions to suit our preferences. But true obedience is doing what God says, how He says it, and when He says it.
One practical way to grow in obedience is to prioritize God daily—reading His Word, seeking His voice, and making Him first in our decisions.
Reflection Question: In what areas of your life are you tempted to choose convenience over obedience?
2. Humility and Diligence in Service
Jesus Himself modeled humility and service:
“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
—Mark 10:45 (NLT)
Serving God is not about performance, recognition, or doing things so others will see. It’s about serving with a humble heart, diligently doing what God has placed in front of us—whether in church ministry, our workplace, our families, or our communities.
It’s easy to get caught up in “doing things for God” and forget to actually walk with God. True service flows from love and surrender, not from duty or pride.
Reflection Question: When no one is watching, what does your service to God look like? Is it still wholehearted?
3. Protecting and Honoring the King
As Christians, we are representatives of Christ. Paul says we are “Ambassadors for Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:20).
This means that wherever we go—at work, online, in conversations with friends and family—we carry God’s name with us. Our actions can either draw people closer to Him or push them away.
Protecting and honoring the King means living in such a way that reflects His holiness and love. It means choosing integrity when it’s easier to compromise. It means showing kindness when the world expects bitterness. It means living in such a way that people see Jesus through us.
Reflection Question: In your daily life, do your words and actions point others to Jesus, or away from Him?
Why This Matters
Israel’s story is not just history—it’s a mirror. It shows us how easy it is to fall into patterns of disobedience, to call on God only when convenient, and to treat Him as Savior without truly submitting to Him as Lord.
But it also shows us God’s incredible mercy.
Even when Israel rejected Him, God still listened to their cries. Even when we fall short, Jesus still offers grace. His love is steadfast, patient, and unfailing.
The invitation for us today is this: Don’t just call Jesus your Savior. Let Him also be your Lord.
Encouragement for Today
Maybe you feel like you’ve been repeating Israel’s cycle—failing, crying out, being rescued, and then falling again. Friend, you are not alone. God’s mercy is still greater than your failures.
But don’t stop at being rescued. Step into true freedom by surrendering to Jesus as your Lord. Let Him guide your choices, shape your heart, and direct your steps.
“So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy.”
—1 Peter 1:14–15 (NLT)
Even when it’s hard, even when your flesh is weak, remember: His Spirit is strong within you.
Final Reflection
As you think about your own walk with God, here are some questions to take into prayer this week:
- In what ways am I treating Jesus as my Savior but not as my Lord?
- What is one step of obedience God is asking me to take right now?
- How can I serve Him humbly and diligently without seeking recognition?
- Do my daily actions honor Christ as my King?
Prayer to Take With You
Lord, thank You for Your endless mercy. Forgive me for the times I’ve wanted You as my Savior but not as my Lord. Help me to obey You with a willing heart, to serve You with humility, and to honor You in everything I do. May my life reflect Your kingship and bring glory to Your name. Amen.
Take the Next Step
Friend, if this message spoke to you today, I encourage you to pause and ask yourself: Am I truly following Jesus as both my Lord and Savior?
If you want more encouragement like this, join me on my journey of faith at Faithfully Yani by subscribing to my newsletter. You’ll receive weekly reflections, practical devotionals, and reminders of God’s love straight to your inbox.
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And if this post blessed you, would you share it with a friend who might need this reminder too? Together, let’s spread the hope and mercy of Christ. 💛
Faithfully,
Yani 💛
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