Make a difference – Day 8

“As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.” 1 Peter 1:14

Obedience is beautiful. Whether it’s seen in the response of a dog to its master, a child to his parents, an adult to his superior, or the wind and waves of Lake Galilee to Jesus, it evokes a positive response, because obedience brings with it serenity and harmony. Disobedience brings friction and robs us of our peace.

Obedience is powerful. It can revolutionise a person’s life and bring understanding, maturity and fulfilment. This is because obedience is undergirded by God and is what he requires of his children for their own well-being. It comes with great reward. Parents often reward obedient children and pet owners reward their pets, but it’s God’s rewards that hold great power. In Deuteronomy 28:1-14, God promises many rich blessings to those who obey him, including the promise to make them “the head, not the tail” (Deuteronomy 28:13). However, the greatest blessing is to know that God cares about us and wants to be in relationship with us.

Nevertheless, obedience is seldom a popular concept. It is often seen as a burden that will take away our rights and spoil our fun, but in reality, ignoring God’s commands actually brings us misery and strife, and robs us of our peace and self-esteem. Adam and Eve were deluded by the devil in the Garden of Eden; they hid from God and so do we. This hinders our growth in grace. Peter speaks to those chosen “for obedience to Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:2).

Jesus tells us quite clearly in John 14:15,21: “If you love me, you will obey what I command. Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.”

Obedience brings us closer to Jesus’ heart, but disobedience blocks the way and also hampers our praying. The psalmist says, “If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened …” (Psalm 66:18)

What is your experience? Do you feel that God hears your prayers? Do you respond positively when you hear God’s “still, small voice” or sense him urging you to do something? Do you rush to obey or quickly busy your mind with something else, or roll over and go back to sleep? Do you try to put Scripture into action? Do you try to break with things you know are wrong? Obedience to God is beautiful, powerful and honours him.

The wind and the waves obeyed Jesus, shouldn’t we?