A Prayer for Increased Obedience
by Tammy Darling
Bible reading:
“Walk in obedience to all that the LORD your God has commanded you, that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you possess. » Deuteronomy 5:33NIV
Listen or read below:
In the Garden of Eden, God gave Adam and Eve a simple rule: They still managed to break it. Ultimately, they rejected God’s authority.
We all must make a personal decision to accept or reject God’s authority – and that includes those He has placed under His authority over us. These are those who do not believe they are accountable to anyone and who live their lives haphazardly, without worrying about the rules; they don’t believe there are good reasons to obey the rules.
We live in a society that emphasizes personal freedom. Any restrictions are viewed with disdain. The rules, they say, create servitude. But the fact is that a world without rules would be a scary place to live. It wouldn’t be long before we self-destructed.
Can you imagine what our country would look like if we didn’t have a Constitution? Can you imagine a large company operating successfully without a mission statement? These guidelines determine how we live and interact with others.
Imagine a football match without rules. It may seem fun at first, but before long, players may be seriously injured, which is why we have rules in the first place. The only rule, or instruction, given by God to Adam and Eve was to protect them.
Think about what it would be like to drive without rules. Deaths would skyrocket. What if doctors weren’t held to strict standards? I certainly wouldn’t want a surgeon to operate on me if that were the case.
While people generally expect rules in many areas, the willingness to comply with them is another matter entirely. It seems we are born with a rebellious heart. But God expects obedience.
“Does the LORD love burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as obedience to the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to pay attention is better than the fat of rams.” (1 Samuel 15:22NIV).
Many people view the Bible as just a book of rules that they have no desire to follow. Yes, the Bible has some “rules,” but they are for our benefit.
When you buy a new vehicle, it comes with an owner’s manual. The manual is written by the people who designed the car to help you know how to use it, how to maintain it, and how to keep yourself safe.
For Christians, the Bible is our “owner’s manual.” And just like with a new vehicle, if we don’t do what the “manual” says, we can’t expect things to go well in our Christian walk.
Rules often have a negative connotation, but giving the Law was an act of love. The Israelites, after 400 years of slavery, did not know how to govern themselves or how to interact with God. The Law was given as a guide to life so that life ultimately turns out well. If the Law had not been given, the Israelites would have essentially still been in slavery.
We once had a herd of American bison on our farm, whose boundaries were defined by a fence. We set these boundaries for our protection and theirs. Seen in this light, we can easily see that borders help, not hinder.
God does the same for us. Its limits are for our own good. They are not intended to restrict us but to protect us. Rules establish boundaries that help create consistency and avoid chaos and confusion.
Obedience should never be activated because we want something in return. We obey, not because God will show us favor, but because God has already shown us favor.
We tend to obey those we love, trust, and respect. Such characteristics promote allegiance. When we regularly contemplate all that the Lord has done, our love, trust, and respect will increase, thereby increasing our desire to obey as well.
When love is our motivation, God’s “rules” are not a heavy yoke but a natural response. Obedience is a response of gratitude to the One who always has our best interests at heart.
Love motivates us to obey, and as a result, we experience love more fully. Behind every act of Christian obedience lies the reality of Almighty God.
God has given us rules to follow; He also gave us free will. The choice is ours. Although God expects obedience, he will not force us to obey him.
To obey or not to obey, that is the question we must answer countless times throughout our lives.
Let us pray:
Lord,
We give thanks for Your wisdom by establishing rules and boundaries that we must follow for our own sake and that of others. We are grateful that when we obey, you bless us exponentially as we deepen our relationship with you each day.
In Your Mighty Name, Amen.
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Photo credit: Unsplash/Ben White
Tammy darling is the author of 1,600 published articles and three books. She writes from her rural home in Pennsylvania.
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