In First Chronicles, chapter twenty-one, verse fifteen, David confessed his sin, sincerely repented, and was forgiven. Yet God carried out the temporal punishment upon him and the people. The fact that sin often receives divine punishment even after confession and forgiveness is a recurring Biblical principle. By causing His disobedient children to endure the temporal consequences of sin, God honors His law, upholds His authority, purifies His people, and shows Himself to be a righteous ruler.
To obey is better than sacrifice is stated at the bottom of First Samuel fifteen, verse twenty-two. Before that, Samuel confronts Saul regarding his disobedient behavior and asks the question. “Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? ” Saul decided to give something to God instead of following what He said to do. How does that work? The result of Saul’s disobedient activity unfortunately led to him no longer being King of Israel, losing the battle against the Philistines, and eventually dying at their hands, as well as his sons.
“Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.” This is the fourth commandment in order after the first three that deals with God. The respecting of parents is in high regard, as in Exodus twenty, verse twelve. Yet children will give gifts on special occasions but do not obey them concerning something righteous, or good, and overall their wel-being. The results show for some children later in life due to lack of respect with regard to that area of their life.
Today, same goes for the servants of God and Christians in general. If we do not obey the Word of God and yet we decide to give to God and do not obey His Word, we will recieve from Him. However, the things we may ask we may not see because of our disobedience to His Word.