DATE POSTED
Sunday, June 21, 2026, and I was blessed to be at Mariposa Apartment Homes, San Marcos, TX when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find and read any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Read below in the Easy to Read Version (ERV) or in your Bible.

1Samuel 15:23 (ERV) ~ Refusing to obey is as bad as the sin of sorcery. Being stubborn and doing what you want is like the sin of worshiping idols. You refused to obey the Lord’s command, so he now refuses to accept you as king.”Hebrews 13:17 (ERV) ~ Obey your leaders. Be willing to do what they say. They are responsible for your spiritual welfare, so they are always watching to protect you. Obey them so that their work will give them joy, not grief. It won’t help you to make it hard for them.

APPLICATION – as inspired by the Holy Spirit
I hope you’ve taken a moment to read the verses referenced above, as they’ll help you better grasp the context of this devotional.

A rebellious child is one who challenges the authority of their parents from a very early age. Some will say that this is a sign of future leadership because they tend to think outside the box and are willing to stand their ground. Yet, when we are honest with ourselves, many of us will recognize that we once fit into that category. We had our own ideas, our own plans, and often resisted the authority placed over us.

However, as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, we are called to something very different. We must seek His help in leaving behind our former ways and fully submit ourselves to the Lordship of our Savior. Jesus proved His love for us at Calvary, and He has prepared an eternal home for all who believe in and accept Him. When we recognize that someone truly has our best interests at heart, we naturally desire to please them. How much more should that be true of our relationship with Jesus? He has our best interests in mind every day and continually demonstrates His love, care, and faithfulness just as He did throughout Scripture.

These days, we hear a lot of talk about “Spiritual Advisors” or accountability partners. Having these people in our lives is crucial as believers, because they genuinely care about our spiritual well-being. But look at the heavy example set by the prophet Samuel in his response to King Saul’s dilemma. Most of us naturally want to please our friends by standing with them in their decisions and supporting them. But the best, most effective spiritual advisor or accountability partner is the one who is willing to call out our shortcomings so that our eyes are opened to our sin and our rebellious spirit. If they are truly sent by God, they will always do this in love.

Saul often focused on his accomplishments and saw himself through the lens of his own success. The child of God must learn a different perspective. We should regularly acknowledge what God has done through us, for it is His power that saves, sustains, and strengthens us. Without Him, we would be powerless against the attacks of Satan and the pressures of this world.

Yesterday’s devotional reminded us that God places leaders in positions of authority and accomplishes His purposes through them. Hebrews reminds us again today that leaders are most effective when we pray for them and support them, rather than allowing our old rebellious nature to rise up once again. Every day we decide who is truly in charge of our lives and where our allegiance belongs.

Every single day, it becomes clear that we must choose who is in charge and to whom we owe our allegiance. If we truly trust God and are confident that He works all things together for our good, then it seems elementary that we would permit Him to do whatever He feels is necessary to bring us safely to His side one day in glory. As the last sentence of our verse from Hebrews warns us: don’t make it hard for them. Don’t interfere with the work God has determined to do. Just support His work and pray for the individuals He has chosen to accomplish His will.

I love that current TV commercial that pokes fun at how often we try to copy or re-live the lives of our parents. But isn’t that exactly what we do in our Christian walk sometimes? Despite the awesome love and power of our Father in heaven, we still find ourselves letting parts of our old, former life of sin kick in and manifest all over again. Hebrews 13 reminds us plainly that this sort of thing will not help us.

A life fully surrendered to God through the forgiveness found in Jesus Christ must seek to leave behind former thoughts, habits, attitudes, and sins. Instead, we are called to focus on living under the Lordship of our Savior and King. Before Christ, rebellion often defined us. After Christ, surrender should define us. Are you there yet? If not, why not? God is at work every single day. We must just decide to step out of the way and allow Him to work out His perfect will in us, for His ultimate glory!

PRAYER
Dear Heavenly Father, I come to You today thanking You for Your immense love—a love so deep that You proved it at Calvary and went ahead to prepare an eternal home for me. Lord, forgive me for the times my old, rebellious nature tries to make a comeback. Forgive me for the times I resist the leaders You have placed over me and lookout for my best interest, and those who watch out for my soul. Father, I want to leave my past habits, thoughts, and stubborn ways behind for good. I want to be fully surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus. Help me to support Your work, to pray faithfully for my leaders, and to get out of the way so that Your perfect will can be accomplished in my life. May everything I do bring glory to Your name. In the precious name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

FOOTNOTE
If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please take advantage of the information provided on my page ‘To Know Jesus’. Alternatively, consider speaking with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. I pray that one of God’s servants will pray with you and offer help and encouragement as you begin, or continue, your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals, please visit NuggetsFromGodsWord.org, or if you choose, subscribe to receive a daily email containing each new devotional, as you will also find that option on this page. Friends, I encourage you to find a Bible teaching church home near your residence and attend as frequently as possible. Get to know God and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk while you invite God to work through you to bless them. God is at work among His people! Please consider being a part of that while also growing in your faith as you worship with fellow believers!