DAY 22: A HEART FOR OBEDIENCE

When we are faithful to observe God’s instruction for our lives, then He is faithful to bless us as only He can.

It’s true, the “blessings” we receive may come in disguise—we gain humility from a job lay-off, we gain self-control from a dried-up bank account, we gain perseverance from a life-threatening illness—but we can be sure that our Father always has our best interest in mind.

The key here is obedience, the pattern of never falling away. It is our obedience that is divinely rewarded. It is our obedience that honors our God.

It is important to note that, prayer is not a substitute for obedience, nor is it an excuse for laziness. Throughout Scripture, when the people of God would pray, God would fill them, and then they would go in the name of Jesus and share their faith. They would become part of the solution to the problems that were all around them! Prayer makes us a part of the answer. That’s why we need to arise from the place of prayer and with momentum move forward in spiritual service in obedience to God.

As a young preacher, I was so moved by the words of Steven Olford who said: “God is not responsible to lead us one step further than the measure of our obedience to him.” In other words, God will not reveal more of His will to us if there are things we are not doing that He already has asked us to do. Our goal must not be the mere discovery of God’s will; our goal must also be to do God’s will.

When I get on my knees regularly and consistently to read God’s Word and talk to God and listen to God, He always brings to mind things I can do bring glory to Him and to support the work of Christ. Our feet should be moved to action when we pray. That’s obedience!

In contrast, instead of taking action in obedience, some people are always saying, “Well, I’m just waiting on the Lord to show me what I’m supposed to do. When He shows me, then I’ll do it.” These people are praying with no intention of getting right with God.

I’ve found in my own life that God’s actually waiting on me most of the time. He’s waiting on me to pray and to get up from that place of prayer and to act in the power of the Holy Spirit. Are you praying diligently and then responding to what God calls you to do?