“… This will happen if you diligently obey the Lord your God.” Zechariah 6:15 b Diligent obedience to the Lord is a command for the follower of Jesus Christ. We have the responsibility, the opportunity and the obligation to obey. What a joy to receive marching orders from Jesus. He is the Commander in Chief. What He says and expects matters dearly, as obedience can be a matter of joy or despair and life or death. Our obedience facilitates God’s will for our life and the lives of those around us. We cannot handle the blessings of God if we are not obedient to the commands of God. He blesses our hard work when we apply our skills and gifts well. However, what keeps us successful and creditable is our character. When we sow obedience, we reap character. When we sow disobedience, we become a character. Thus, we diligently obey the Lord. Obedience matters to our family. Our example of obedience propels them to do the same. It may mean a job change or a change of churches, but we explain to our family the Lord’s leading. We share our fears with our family. Then we pray together and ask God to empower us to obey. Diligent obedience also matters to our work associates. They follow what we do, not what we say. Obedience pays dividends now and for eternity.“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life” (Galatians 6:6-8). How do we know if we are obeying God? His word is our first indicator. We ask Him to reveal His truth and ways to us. He is looking for a hungry heart of obedience. It delights God to instruct His teachable child in His will. We let the word of God seep into our soul through prayer and meditation. We memorize it, learn it, and, most importantly, apply it. We must be volitional in our obedience. We obey even when we dont feel like it. Our emotions may betray us and tell us its ok to not obey if we feel a certain way. We flee from this faulty thinking. God’s word is living and active. He will speak into the deepest recesses of our heart. We must listen intently, then diligently do what He says. We do not hold back or be distracted. He may be saying to meet with the ones we have offended. We need to take the first step in reconciliation. There is a purpose much greater than our hurt feelings. By God’s grace, we forgive and let Him heal our hurting heart. We do not jeopardize the bigger vision for our own selfish needs. It may take a wise mediator to listen to both sides and make a recommendation. We do whatever the mediator suggests. This is a way of diligently obeying God. Yes, it is humbling. Yes, it is a little humiliating, but this is God’s plan. We do not allow the severed relationship with family or friends to fester. We may win the short-term battle of wills, but there is a good chance we will lose the long-term relational war. Diligent obedience requires a humble faith. “I call with all my heart; answer me, LORD, and I will obey your decrees. I call out to you; save me and I will keep your statutes” (Psalm 119-145-146). Prayer: Where are you, Lord, calling me to diligently obey with humble faith?---Wisdom Hunters
Posted on: Fri, 15 Nov 2013 12:31:22 +0000