When our daughter Heather was a child, she would sometimes entertain herself and her little brother Jeremy with stories she’d create.
These weren’t ordinary stories, however. Each part of the story was to be followed by a response, such as HOORAY or OH DEAR. Jeremy would supply those. Heather told her story so the responses alternated.
For example:
One day Mrs. Brown said to her children, “Let’s go on a picnic!” (HOORAY!)
But while they were getting ready it started to rain. (OH DEAR!)
Mrs. Brown said, “Don’t worry, we’ll have a picnic in the family room!” (HOORAY!)
Billy Brown counted out apples for everyone. “Uh-oh!” he said. “We don’t have enough apples!” (OH DEAR!)
You get the idea.
Some of us have read Bible promises with the same HOORAY/OH DEAR responses. (Although we’d probably exchange HOORAY for HALLELUJAH!)
Take Deuteronomy 7:9, for example. We read, “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations . . .” And our response might be HALLELUJAH!
Then we read the second part: “. . . of those who love him and keep his commandments” (emphasis added). (OH DEAR.)
Here are two more examples:
“You will eat the good things of the land . . .” (HALLELUJAH!) “. . . if you are willing and obedient”–Isaiah 1:19. (OH DEAR.)
Or this assurance from Jesus: “You are my friends . . . ,” (HALLELUJAH!) “. . . if you do what I command”–John 15:14. (OH DEAR).
I can’t speak for you but often I’m glad to claim God’s promises, then struggle to comply with the prerequisite: God’s directives—even though I know that sinful, self-centered behaviors can get me into trouble and won’t produce long-term contentment.
I so easily forget:
What blessing might Jesus have had in mind when he made that promise? Actually, the Bible lists a number of blessings tied to obedience. Here’s a starter-list of ten:
1. God’s watchful care. “The eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him” (Psalm 33:18).
2. Prosperity of soul. “Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord” (Proverbs 16:20).
3. Joy of heart. “The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart” (Psalm 19:8).
Jesus isn’t trying to make your life miserable by calling you to obey his word. He wants you to abide in his love and have fullness of joy! God doesn’t give us his word to keep us from life. He gives us his word so we can walk in abundance of life.
Melissa Kruger, Growing Together, 50
4. Freedom from shame. “Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees! Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands” (Psalm 119:5-6).
5. Freedom from fear. “Surely the righteous will never be shaken . . . They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord” (Psalm 112:6a, 8a).
6. Peace of mind. “Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble” (Psalm 119:165).
When we obey with a right heart from a place of love, we experience a joy and peace we’d never know otherwise.
Denise Hughes, Deeper Waters, 149.
7. Blessing upon our grandchildren. “The Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children—with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts” (Psalm 103:17-18).
8. Wisdom. “The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple” (Psalm 19:7b).
9. Joy of knowing Jesus intimately. “The one who has My commands and keeps them is the one who loves Me. . . I also will love him and will reveal Myself to him” (John 14:21 HCSB).
If I obey Jesus Christ in the seemingly random circumstances of life, they become pinholes through which I see the face of God.
Oswald Chambers
10. Everything we need and then some. “Those who obey him have all they need . . . Those who obey the Lord lack nothing good” (Psalm 34:9 GNT).
When we yield in obedience to God’s voice he yields a harvest greater than we can imagine.
Denise Hughes, Deeper Waters, 149
We know it’s true: disobedience can lead to disaster. (OH DEAR!)
But even the short list of blessings listed above proves:
Obedience leads to abundance.
(HALLELUJAH–and thank you, Lord!)
* * * * * * * * * *
O God, I praise you for your promises that assure me: when I follow your ways, all will be well. Give me understanding so I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart–moment by moment. May I wholeheartedly follow your decrees, so I won’t be put to shame!
Jeremiah 7:23; Psalm 119:34, 80
Photo credits: Steve Ruegg; http://www.pxhere.com; http://www.freerangestock.com (Chad Madden); http://www.canva.com (2).