Obedience to God is the supreme path. Yet I find myself not having obeyed. But with better understanding, I find myself walking that superior path more often. I want you to be blessed by choosing obedience to God. Obey God, your creator, who knows you best, to take you into a path of goodness, joy, and peace.
Click any of the following links in the sequence that is better suited to you and the time you can spare:
Why does obedience matter?
Obedience is better than sacrifice
Obedience is not easy
Obedience is to the will of God
God provides strength for obedience
Obedience and blessings
1. Why does obedience matter?
The choice to do physical exercise is an option that comes to us daily. We can either go ahead and do it. Else we can avoid it. Avoiding exercise may give us more time to rest and relax—these we know are short-term benefits. Yet all of us know that the moment we choose to sacrifice our rest, through regular exercise, our body can become stronger and fit, live longer, and be free from sickness. A stronger and healthier body helps us to do the things we want to do and even helps the people, friends, and family around us.
Note: The benefits of exercise and walking regularly are given at the end of this page.
2. Obedience is better than sacrifice
We know that worshipping God is good. We are aware that sacrifices are acceptable unto the Lord. God is perfect in all His ways, and He has order & orderliness, as said in very clear terms.
Examining what the Lord has already spoken to you reminds you that you are important. Can be speaking to a relative. Can help an extended family member whom you know. Being tender to the nudges of the Lord is important.
Remembering that the Lord does not require speaking to you in a booming voice, beyond a burning bush. He can and may do both as well. Hearing His still, small voice is important. Hearing it consistently and obeying it consistently is a way to develop hearing ears and an obedient spirit.
3 . Obedience is not easy
When we obey, we give up an alternate path. You give up your will, your default thinking, your desire, leave your comfort zone.
Here is this portion from Hebrews 5: 8, 9 which speaks about the obedience of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.
Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him. (Hebrews 5: 8,9)
4. Obedience is to the will of God
Before Jesus was to be crucified, he was in prayer. He knew what was coming up. In all humanness, he suffered. From the human frailty, he asked if the cup of suffering could be removed. But in his humanness, he was determined, and he surrendered to be obedient to his father, God.
Jesus said, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42)
5. God provides strength for obedience
I have found that I often did not have the strength for obedience. But when I started taking baby steps in obedience, I discovered that the Lord gave me strength, encouraging me in the pathway of obedience. I would encourage you to start earnestly. A few verses are repeated below so you get the context.
He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. (Luke 22:41, 44)
An angel may or may not not appear, but certainly the Lord can give you greater determination and strength, a gentle nudge once you decide to obey.
6. Obedience and blessings
Obedience has rewards. When you were a child, you recall receiving rewards from your parents or guardians or teachers. In some cases, the rewards are soon to follow; other times, it takes time. When you have built up your faith, you are certain of the reward; the timing does not matter. Sometimes the nature of rewards may be different. Sometimes rewards are far beyond what is perceived and ever considered. One such precious thing is will power, the value of which is often not understood.
Here is a passage from Deuteronomy 29. Do not rush through it. Get what you read into your heart.
5 Yet the Lord says, “During the forty years that I led you through the wilderness, your clothes did not wear out, nor did the sandals on your feet. 6 You ate no bread and drank no wine or other fermented drink. I did this so that you might know that I am the Lord your God.”
7 When you reached this place, Sihon king of Heshbon, and Og king of Bashan, came out to fight against us, but we defeated them. 8 We took their land and gave it as an inheritance to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. 9 Carefully follow the terms of this covenant, so that you may prosper in everything you do. 10 All of you are standing today in the presence of the Lord your God—your leaders and chief men, your elders and officials, and all the other men of Israel, 11 together with your children and your wives, and the foreigners living in your camps who chop your wood and carry your water
12 You are standing here in order to enter into a covenant with the Lord your God, a covenant the Lord is making with you this day and sealing with an oath, 13 to confirm you this day as his people, that he may be your God as he promised you and as he swore to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 14 I am making this covenant, with its oath, not only with you 15 who are standing here with us today in the presence of the Lord our God, but also with those who are not here today.
For now, I conclude here. Be blessed in your walk in obedience to the Spirit of God, to the commandments you already know.
Notes and references connected to obedience:
All of us have been taught about the benefits of exercise, yet not everyone exercises regularly. Perhaps you may not need this nudge to regularly exercise, but do share these among family and friends who don’t do regular exercise.
You may wish to read about the benefits of regular exercise here
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/exercise
You can read about the importance of a 30-minute walk regularly:
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/walking-for-good-health
