Obedience

Walk forward with the Lord in obedience. You have observed the difficulties faced by those who disobey; let these teach you. Self-inflicted burdens show you the consequences of willful disobedience, but also should reveal to you God’s mercy and grace. The fact that those who belong to the Lord are able to experience His comfort and peace even as they live with the earth-bound consequences of rebellion and disobedience should cleanse you of fear for your own future. He does not treat us as our sins deserve…(Psalm 103:10). You have received a warning to avoid disobedience. You have also received evidence that blessing arrives through belief, apart from works. This warning to avoid rebellion along with rich evidence of God’s great mercy toward those who believe is, should you decide to accept it, the key to the blessings you have sought as your heart’s desire.

The tragedy of sin can separate you from an awareness of God’s presence with you, but nothing can separate you from His love. The cause and effect relationship between disobedience and death has been broken by the blood of Jesus Christ. You are now able to walk in obedience because your obedience does not earn your salvation. Obedience brings intimacy with God through Jesus Christ. You show your love for Him by obeying Him. You are unable to obey in order to earn a reward, but you are able to obey in order to act out your love for God. Loving God is what you were created to do.

Remember that the sins of other people cannot rob you of blessings. God is so powerful as to be able to use all circumstances that touch you as conduits for His blessing.

Scripture: Praise the Lord, oh my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s…he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:2-5, 10-12