Pushing against authority isn't new to our generation.

Down through history, we've seen countless illustrations about defying God's plan.

Man's sinful nature wants to resist authority rather than submit to it.

Well, today, on Insight for Living, Chuck Swindall tells the story of an ancient king.

God clearly instructed Saul to follow a specific plan, but when his people complained, the king crumbled.

Instead of obeying God, Saul bargained with him.

The big lesson? Bucking God's authority results in painful consequences.

Chuck titled today's message, Strengthening Your Grip on Authority.

Let me begin this message today by asking you a few direct questions.

Has the Lord clearly led you to do something, and yet you are now saying no, or not now?

Maybe you're trying to bargain with God, substituting something else in place of his direct advice.

Is there within you a stubborn spirit that causes you to rebel or argue or fight back,

even though you know it's against God's leading? Let me tell you a true story. King Saul was like that. His willful defiance

against God's commands cost Saul dearly. He developed a deceitful technique of hiding his

disobedience behind the masks of lies and rationalization and blame. Let's not go there.

The very best proof of our love for the Lord is our obedience to him, nothing more and nothing

less. My Bible is open to that sad story of King Saul.

It's been recorded in 1st Samuel chapter 15.

Listen as I read from the new living translation, beginning at verse 1.

One day Samuel said to Saul, It was the Lord who told me to anoint you as king of his people, Israel.

Now listen to this message from the Lord. This is what the Lord of Heaven's armies has declared.

I have decided to settle accounts with the nation of Amalek for opposing Israel when they came from Egypt.

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