4). The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned. 5). The Lord God hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back. 6). I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. 7). For the Lord God will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed. 8). He is near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who is mine adversary? let him come near to me. 9). Behold, the Lord God will help me; who is he that shall condemn me? lo, they all shall wax old, as a garment; the moth shall eat them up. 10). Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God.
ISAIAH 50:4-10 KJV
Christians sometimes approach obedience as a way to avoid the negative consequences of disobedience. When this happens, obeying becomes a heavy burden. But God intended our walk of faith be a thrilling adventure, motivated by our love for Jesus and our desire to please Him. Obedience is about discovering more and more of God—not simply avoiding unpleasant outcomes.
Some may equate doing God’s will with the word burden because weighty decisions may be involved. Yet the Lord doesn’t give us anything we can’t handle. Our obedience in the smaller matters of life prepares us for bigger issues.
When we place trust in the Lord’s omnipotence and act on His prompting, life becomes exciting (Read 1 SAMUEL 15:21-22). And we need not be fearful—for two reasons. First, God has promised to walk through our challenges with us. And second, He already knows the good that will result when we do what He asks. In fact, after taking one step in obedience, we will have opportunities to do so again, and to experience more of His goodness.
As you walk into this new year, ask yourself, What is my next step of obedience?
-IBC
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