Learning Obedience

“Now it shall be, if you diligently obey the Lord your God, being careful to do all His commandments which I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. All these blessings will come upon you and overtake you if you obey the Lord your God...”  Deuteronomy 28:1-2

“But it shall come about, if you do not obey the Lord your God, to observe to do all His commandments and His statutes with which I charge you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you...”  Deuteronomy 28:15

Choices - we make them every day: what time to get up; what clothes to wear; what to eat for breakfast; which route to take to work; which stores to shop at; whether to go fishing or visit Aunt Bernice. The choices we face in a single day seem to be endless.

What determines how we make our choices? Is it left entirely to chance? Do we flip a coin to determine what we will do? Is it just a matter of deciding according to how we happen to feel at the moment? Well, let’s face it: some decisions we make are a matter of personal preference - like whether to have toast and eggs for breakfast.

But, as we well know, there are other decisions which demand an answer based on more than just how we may feel at the moment. How do you respond to temptation? If you go by your feelings, you’ll give in. There has to be some kind of standard or basis upon which choices are to be made - especially moral, ethical, and spiritual decisions.

The next time you face a choice or decision (one that affects your relationship with Christ) ask yourself this question: “Is this decision in keeping with my commitment to obey God?” Answer? If you have not already done so, commit yourself to a life of complete and instant obedience to what you know is God’s will.

“...to obey is better than sacrifice...” 1 Samuel 15:22