Obedience is key!

Thursday night on the chat.live set I heard Lee Domingue say it. “Obedience is key!” That’s what I keep hearing. I run across it when I am reading. The topic comes up in discussions. Podcasts are mentioning it. Even my email Bible verses for Pete’s sake. By the way, who is Pete? I cannot get away from this theme of obedience. This left me with one thought: God, am I missing it? Am I being disobedient?

In a discussion with a close friend, we discovered we were both hearing the same. The funny part is we’ve each come to the conclusion we aren’t being disobedient to what God is calling each of us to do. In fact, we feel like we are being very obedient DOING what God has asked of us. However, we both were not full on embracing it. (ouch!) We were doubting, not believing, even questioning some. Doing isn’t enough.

Faith and obedience go hand in hand. If I simply do what I am told but deep down inside doubt what I am doing, is this honoring God? If I’m only getting my gloves a little dirty, is this obedience?  I think God’s showing me that true obedience is pure and is not tainted with unbelief. It’s more than a simple action. With that in mind, I am going to start monitoring my attitude and motives in obedience.

Lord, let me bring You honor and glory!

Lost in Obedience

This morning I was reading part of Nehemiah’s account of the rebuilding of the wall in Jerusalem.  What a man of courage and determination!  What if all of God’s people were obedient to the point of Nehemiah’s obedience?  What if we all just got lost in obedience to Him? I think about great men and women like Moses, Abraham, Paul, John…well, actually all of the disciples, and so many others.  Accounts we get the pleasure of reading in the Bible still today. Then there are modern day versions like Mother Teresa and the countless others serving our world today as missionaries.  The obedience required in each of their lives speaks volumes.

In Nehemiah 9, the people were finished with rebuilding the wall. They stood in place for 3 hours while the book of the law was read, and then 3 additional hours they stood as they confessed their sins and worshiped God.  After 6 HOURs they were still praying!  6 hours and still going…sounds like “Get Out of the Shade” Summer Camp from 5 or 6 years ago, but that’s a story for another post.  They began recounting the greatness of God…of His great mercy and unfailing love.  At this time they offered up a simple petition to God not to forget them and their suffering.  Not 30 minutes of reading or praying in my comfy chair, but after 6 hours on their feet, they offered a simple prayer to God.  Amazing to me!

If each of us were honest, we’d say we have trouble focusing on God for more than mere minutes some days.  At times we complain about having to get up for church or mumble about going to work or having to drive somewhere.  Times when, instead, we should be singing praise to God for the amazing privileges we have…privileges of His unfailing love and great mercy.  How incredibly blessed we are.  Every day, we should wake up with a song of joy on our lips and a heart of obedience to just say “Yes Sir, God.  Yes Sir.” Lord, make me more like Nehemiah.  Lost in obedience regardless of the cost. With that, I’ll just focus on saying “Yes Sir” today.