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The Blessings of Obedience

Obedience is something our old nature recoils at. Let’s face it our flesh likes to be satisfied and not take orders; especially biblical commandments. But the more I read and study my Bible the more I realize that obedience is the pathway to blessings. Obeying God’s Word, while not always easy, is the best investment you can make with your time, your talent, and your treasury. I pray that the following few thoughts may help you to look at obedience to God in a whole new and exciting light.

In (Psalm 19:7-11) we read:

The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

10 More to be desired are they than gold,
Yea, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

11 Moreover by them Your servant is warned,
And in keeping them there is great reward.

Notice in (Psalm 19:11) we see that obeying God’s commandments serve to both warn and reward us. And this, my friends, is the dual nature of obedience to God. God, over and over again, tells us in the Scriptures that when we obey Him we can avoid a host of negative consequences and receive a myriad of blessings.

When we choose to go our own way and disobey God’s commands, yes, we accrue, in some small measure, momentary pleasures, but at  a very high cost. First, joy cannot coexist in the heart of a disobedient believer. Second, peace with God is forfeited. Third, our prayers to God will often go unanswered. Fourth, anxiety and worry will cause us many sleepless nights. And fifth, that sweet fellowship with Jesus will temporarily vanish. Thus, we see that there is a high price to paid as a follower of Christ, who chooses to walk in disobedience.

However, when we are walking in obedience to Christ these above five negative points change into amazing blessings. Let’s consider each one in turn.

Obedience brings joy

Yes, when we obey Christ we may suffer some negative feedback and persecution, but just look at the rewards that we read in (Matthew 5:11-12): “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” I love this verse for two reasons. One, obedience brings exceedingly great joy even in the midst of persecution. And two, obedience promises us a great reward in heaven!

Obedience brings peace

(Psalm 119:165) tells us: “Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.” The more we fall in love with the Prince of Peace, the more we will want to obey His precious Word – the result great peace!

Obedience brings answered prayer

(Psalm 66:18) states: “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear.” Disobedience to the Word of God is one of the chief reasons our prayers go unanswered. However, as we can see in (2 Chronicles 16:9) God will move in amazing ways, especially in prayer, to those who have an obedient heart: “For the eyes of the Lord roam throughout the earth, so that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His…” I believe that God truly delights to answer our prayers when we walk in obedience to His will and His Word.

Obedience helps conquer anxiety and worry

(Matthew 6:33) states: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” In the context of (Matthew 6) when we are obedient to seeking the advancement of God’s kingdom as one of our main focuses in life we can be confident that God will supply all of our needs. In other words, we don’t have to worry because God knows what we need and He promises to provide for us. When we put God first in all of our decisions in life we don’t need to be anxious about anything but just do what we read in (1 Peter 5:7): “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” So, when we are obedient to the Lord we can cast our burdens on Him and receive His blessings in return.

Obedience brings sweet fellowship with the Lord

King David understood how horrible life was for him after he had committed adultery with Bathsheba. Until Nathan the prophet confronted David with his great sin and lack of repentance, life for David was miserable. When David finally repented he wrote (Psalm 51) and was able to have his broken relationship with the Lord restored.  In (Psalm 51:10-12) we see David’s heart and desire to have his once sweet fellowship with the Lord restored. I believe David knew that only through true repentance and obedience to God going forward, could peace, joy, and intimacy with the Lord, which he so desired, return. Just listen to these beautiful words from (Psalm 51:10-12): “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”

Obedience to God is a beautiful word. I pray as you walk with the Lord you will strive to obey the Word of God. I guarantee you that deep blessings will flood your soul and make life so much more meaningful!

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