Lord God, your words are clear. I pray your Holy Spirit stops me in my tracks to prevent me from presumption and rebellion. Help me to fully obey. Help me to listen carefully to your instructions. Forgive me when I fall short and don’t let me put blame on others for my disobedience. I ask in the name and authority of Jesus, according to your good and perfect will. Amen.

“And Samuel said, ‘Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king.’” (1 Samuel 15: 22-23 ESV)