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WEEKLY ENCOURAGEMENT
Updated: Tuesday, September 2, 2008
OBEDIENCE TO BLESSING
Sometimes God gives us unusual and illogical commands that require unquestioning obedience. Let us consider a few examples.
A well known example is that of Noah. God gives Noah the order to build an ark because there is going to be a flood. Now it is important to remember, at this point in time it had not rained upon the earth, but rather the earth was watered by a mist, or vapor. So Noah has never seen rain, let alone a flood. This would not just be a little local dam break but would cover the whole earth and all life on the earth except those in the ark would die. Now if you were Noah and had not read the rest of the story would you have believed God? Would you have been obedient to work every day for 120 years?
Do you remember Esther? Through amazing and unexpected turn of events, a simple Jewish girl became the bride of the ruling monarch of the day. Then an evil man set out to have the Jews killed not knowing that that would include the king's wife, Esther. However, God allow the plot to become known to Esther and she was given the responsibility to come before the king, uninvited, which in that day could be life threatening, and intervene for her people. She knew the risk was great and therefore asked that all the Jews in Schushan to fast and pray for three days, and then she would go before the king. What courage it took for this young woman to lay aside her comfortable situation and risk her life to be obedient. I wonder what you and I are willing to risk to be obedient to our Lord? When is the last time we actually fasted and prayed over a critical situation?
Picture yourself in the widow woman shoes when Elijah told her to take the last bit of meal and oil and bake a cake for him. You must understand that humanly speaking, if she did that, she and her son would die of starvation. What would you do? We often have a problem giving God the tithe (which already belongs to him) or for that matter any of our money let alone giving him our last dollar. It is important to notice she obeyed being fully aware of the situation.
It is vital for us to notice a very important factor in all these examples (and there are many more in God's Word). They all required blind faith and unquestioning obedience. Human reasoning in all these examples would have said, "No way!" But what is so exciting is, that in every case they did obey and God worked miracles: the person obeying was blessed, their needs were met and the blessing spread to others.
The crowning example of course, is that of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. What could be more unreasonable than for the Creator of the universe and all of life to take on the form of a man, leave His throne in glory to live among sinners? He went even a step farther and gave His life's blood to redeem sinful man. He did that for you and me! Because of His obedience to the Father we, and everyone who is willing to come to Him, may find forgiveness and eternal life.
Do you want to be a blessing? Then follow the example of your Shepherd. You must be willing to obey the Lord's leading and commandments whether you understand or not. It is called living by faith. I challenge you to be a vessel of blessing today.
POINT TO PONDER:Is God leading you in a direction you do not understand? What will you do, obey or rebel?
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- Sandy Hastings September 2, 2008 |
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