I have often said that one of the best gifts you can ever give your children is to administer good godly discipline for acts of disobedience. They probably won’t appreciate the discipline or punishment at the time they receive it but later in life they will hopefully realize that their parents disciplined them out of love and for their long term benefit. Imagine what would happen if children, whenever they disobeyed, didn’t receive any discipline. They most definitely would grow up to be totally dysfunctional and a menace to society.
Why is it then that we, as God’s children, often don’t realize that God’s commands are all for our benefit in the long term and that when we obey them we will be blessed. While God demands obedience to His commands the key reason is that He wants to bless us and He knows that His ways are always the best ways for the advancement of His kingdom and our ultimate well-being.
Below is a short list of just five of the blessings of obeying the Word of God.
First, we please God. Notice what Paul says in (Philippians 4:18): “…I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.”
Second, when you read (Psalm 19:7-11) and choose to obey God your actions are doing something that is perfect, sure, right, pure, clean, and true!
Third, we have God’s personal promise in (Proverbs 3:5-6) that He will direct our paths when we put our trust in Him. For we read: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.” Imagine the Creator of the universe being our own personal guide, coach, and counselor in all of our lives’ decisions.
Fourth, Jesus said to those Jews who believed in Him: “…If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32). When we listen to God, and obey Him, He promises us freedom. But freedom from what! From worry, fear, and the bondage that so many people are in to their own thought lives.
And fifth, obedience to God is exciting! As we begin to walk in God’s ways, we begin a journey through life that will constantly be filled with challenges to excel in our desire to please the Lord. Trials and tribulations will hit us just as hard, if not harder, than those, non-believers experience in life – but there is an eternal purpose and meaning in them for us. As we overcome these trials, we begin to see the reality of (Romans 8:29) in our lives: “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son…” What a privilege to be molded by God Himself to be like Himself.
I believe that obeying God’s commands is the wisest decision we can ever make with our time, talents, and treasury. In closing I ask you to meditate on the wise words of R. A. Torrey: “Cultivate prompt, exact, unquestioning, joyous obedience to every command that it is evident from its context applies to you. Be on the lookout for new orders from your King. Blessing lies in the direction of obedience to them. God’s commands are but signboards that mark the road to present success and blessedness and to eternal glory.”1
1 Inspirational Quotes by R.A. Torrey – page 2 (bibleportal.com)