For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering.  The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart—These, O God, You will not despise. Psalm 51:16–17 (NKJV)

One of my favorite musicians is the late Contemporary Christian Music artist, gospel singer, and songwriter Keith Green (1953-1982).

Green’s second album, No Compromise, called on Christians to wake up and live lives that are sold out for Jesus Christ. One song is To Obey is Better Than Sacrifice. In a live concert in Estes Park, Green told the inspiration for his song was from a Bible study he had taught on King Saul, Israel’s first king. Saul had disobeyed God, sparing the Amalekite king Agag and sheep and goats, all whom the Lord had told him to destroy (1 Samuel 15). Saul told the prophet Samuel that the animals were saved to sacrifice to the LORD. Samuel replied,

“Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you as king.” 1 Samuel 15:22 (NIV)

King Saul’s arrogance, disobedience, and compromise cost him dearly. That’s true for us as well.

What does life look like if we do not compromise in what the Lord tells us?  Green covered some of those areas in the imaginary conversation between Jesus and Christians in the lyrics To Obey is Better Than Sacrifice. Let’s take a look at the first verse.

To obey is better than sacrifice
I don’t need your money, I want your life
And I hear you say that I’m coming back soon
But you act like I’ll never return.

If we’re sold out for Christ, He should have every part of our lives. Let’s ask ourselves:

Money: God doesn’t need our money. He created everything. He’s the great Provider. God blesses us when we give to Him of our resources which He provided (Malachi 3:10). Our giving is not to be done grudgingly, but out of cheerful, obedient hearts (2 Corinthians 9:7). Let’s ask ourselves:

• Does my spending reflect the Lord?
• Am I tithing?
• How am I using my resources to impact others for Jesus?

Life: Jesus wants our lives. He gave His life for us. Let’s look at some practical application of giving our lives daily to Jesus.

• Is Jesus part of my life every day? How?
• Am I spending time with God daily by reading the Bible and spending time in prayer?
• Am I obeying what God says?
• Is God pleased by my choices in: Entertainment? Conversations? Social media? How I spend my time? How I interact with my family and others?
• How much time is spent with God? A pie chart revealed how much time a person was using for family, work, chores, television and media, and running errands. I know my own pie chart would have too little time with the Lord. I’m trying to be more aware of the time I spend and be more intentional of bringing Jesus into the rest of the day, not just when I’m reading my Bible, writing a devotional, or attending church.

Jesus’s return: Many people wonder when Jesus will come back for His followers. I believe we are in the last days; the Apostle John thought so, writing that it is the last hour (1 John 2:18).

Yet, do I really believe Jesus will come anytime if I’m not obeying God? Do I act like Jesus will never return? Do you?

Let’s ask ourselves:

• If Jesus came back today, am I ready? Do I have a personal relationship with Him? Have I confessed my sins to Jesus Christ and asked Him to be my Savior?
• If I knew Jesus was returning today, would I live differently? If so, how would my day or night be different?
• Am I telling others of the salvation Jesus came to give them?

I want to live all out for Jesus. I know I have acted like Jesus will never return. I’ve let friends know I’m a Christian, but failed to share Christ with them. Lord, please forgive me. Give me boldness.

Are you living sold out for Jesus?

Lord, I want to obey You. I don’t want to compromise anymore. Please forgive me. The sacrifices of You are a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart (Psalm 51:16–17). Break my heart with what breaks Yours, Jesus. Amen.

Thank you for reading my devotionals. I hope they touch your heart and soul. Watch for future devotionals focused on living sold out for Jesus, and on having a contrite heart. Past devotionals include individual posts and series. Click on the date under the title to expand the text.

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Lyrics.com, STANDS4 LTD, 2026. “To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice Lyrics.” Accessed January 31, 2026. https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/14050413/Keith+Green/To+Obey+Is+Better+Than+Sacrifice.

Keith Green – To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice (live from Estes Park, 1978). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzWyZxlwGKI

Scriptures marked NIV are taken from the NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (NIV):
Scripture taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®. Copyright©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™. Used by permission of Zondervan.

Scriptures marked NKJV are taken from the NEW KING JAMES VERSION (NKJV): Scripture taken from the NEW KING JAMES VERSION®. Copyright© 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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