When Hope Seems Lost: Day 4 We Obey
After the surrender, during the wait and while we trust then what do we do? We obey.
Of all that is essential to maintaining hope when hope seems lost obedience is the most critical, most rewarding and absolutely the hardest. At least it is for me.
To obey is to do what you don’t want to do simply because your Father said so.
Much like with your own children, telling them to clean their rooms, do their homework and be nice to their sister aren’t suggestions but more like commands.
But when they fail (and we all fail at times) do you love them any less? Of course not! Do you withhold affection or refuse to meet their needs? Never.
And neither does God when we fail to obey Him. As you are a parent to your child so He is to you.
It’s from a place of grace and a heart of love that He gives commands that are created to protect us and provide for us but never to punish us or place additional burdens upon us.
“For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. I John 5:3
So why obey?
As we see in the above verse obedience is an expression of our love for Him. Again we read “Jesus replied, ‘Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching.’” John 14:23.
And what comes from obeying Him? The rewards of abundance, provision, promotion and protection.
“Indeed, if you diligently obey the Lord your God to carry out all his commands that I’m giving you today . . .” “Moreover, all these blessings will come upon you in abundance, if you obey the Lord your God” Deut 28:1-2
- Your children: “Blessed will your children be as well as
- Your possessions: “the produce of your land, the offspring of your beasts and cattle, and the offspring of your flock.” 28:4
- Your physical needs: “Blessed will be your grain basket and your kneading bowl. 28:5
- Your daily life: “Blessed will you be in your comings and goings.” 28:6
- Your peace and safety: “The Lord will make your enemies, who rise against you and attack from one direction, to flee from you in seven directions.” 28:7
- Your finances: “The Lord will send blessings for you with regard to your barns” 28:8
- Your business, to-do list, projects, goals and dreams: “and everything you undertake.” 28:8
- Your future: “Indeed, he will bless you in the land that the Lord your God is about to give you.” 28:8
The Hebrew word for “blessed” is berakhah which means “a gift or present.” It is God gifting us with His very finest as a reward for our obedience.
What else happens when we obey God?
Our lives become become a living, breathing testimony of His goodness, faithfulness and favor. “Then all the people of the earth will observe that the name of the Lord is proclaimed among you . . .” 28:10.
So “Do not deviate from any of his commands that I’m giving you today—neither to the right nor the left—to follow and serve other gods.” 28:14
Finally, obedience ushers us into God’s presence. “Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” John 14:23
But when we fail we remember that “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9.
And thankfully “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, Eph 1:7
And God so graciously declares “For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” Heb 8:12
Sandra Hubbard
Word Wisdom
But He said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” Luke 11:28
And being made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him. Heb 5:9
But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.” Acts 5:9
If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land. Isa 1:19
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Josh 1:9
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