Obedience and Submission

"Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams." (1 Samuel 15:22 NLT)

Do you obey the law even when the regulations don’t make sense to you? Take, for instance, traffic laws: Do you always come to a full stop at stop signs, even on empty roads? Or do you just slow down, take a quick glance for cop cars, and keep moving? Do you drive at or below the speed limit? Or does your speed depend on the other drivers around you? 

Whether it is traffic laws or authority figures, most of us are reluctant to obey and submit to anything or anyone these days. We would rather make up our own mind on what is appropriate. This attitude often extends to God’s directions as well. When we get a nudge from God to do something that goes against our agenda, what do we do? We question whether the message was from God or something our imagination cooked up. We ignore it, hoping it will fade with time. We delay and prevaricate. 

Disobedience was the original sin that separated humanity from God. Adam and Eve thought they could make up their own minds about what was good and evil. They were wrong. When we trust that God loves us and wants what is best for us, we are able to obey without reservations. A proper reverence for God enables us to surrender. Trust, respect, acceptance of God’s love, reverence, and submission are all pleasing to God. This is why obedience is better than sacrifice. 

 

Following God's Directions

“Later God’s angel spoke to Philip: ‘At noon today I want you to walk over to that desolate road that goes from Jerusalem down to Gaza.’ He got up and went.” ( Acts 8:26-27 MSG)

Philip had a thriving ministry in Samaria. One morning, God directed him to walk on the desolate road between Jerusalem and Gaza. Philip did not hesitate. He got up and went. 

God had a plan and Philip had a part to play. On that stretch of road at that particular time, an influential Ethiopian was traveling by chariot. He happened to be reading a passage of Scripture. 

“The Holy Spirit said to Philip, ‘Go over and walk along beside the carriage.’ Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ The man replied, ‘How can I, unless someone instructs me?’ And he urged Philip to come up into the carriage and sit with him.” (Acts 8:29-31 NLT)

God instructed Philip one step at a time. First, it was to walk on a deserted path. Then, it was to go over and walk beside a foreigner’s carriage. Philip listened and obeyed. Even though it may have seemed unreasonable and inconvenient, he did not drag his feet. He did not lean on his own ideas. He followed God’s directions without question. 

Lord, when You ask me to do something, I pray that I would follow directions without challenging Your wisdom. Use me according to Your will. Also, bring the appropriate mentors into my life at the right time to minister to me and my loved ones. 

 

The Lost and the Wayward

“I will lead the blind on roads they have never known; I will guide them on paths they have never traveled. Their road is dark and rough, but I will give light to keep them from stumbling. This is my solemn promise.” (Isaiah 42:16 CEV)

Do you ever feel lost--uncertain on which direction to go? What do you do in these situations? Do you try to figure it out on your own? Or do you ask for help?  

Before the advent of GPS, drivers would stop at gas stations and ask for directions--well, at least some drivers did. Others kept driving around in circles or completely in the wrong direction. Asking for help requires humility. Admitting that you are lost or on the wrong track is difficult. This prevents many of us from seeking guidance.

God has promised to guide those who seek His assistance. When we can’t see where we are going, He will direct us. He will lead us down unfamiliar paths and through uncertain situations. When the road is dark and rough, He will light the way and keep us from stumbling. All we have to do is humble ourselves and ask for help. 

God, help us! Lead us when we are lost. Redirect us when we are going the wrong way. Open our eyes when we are blind. Free us when we are in bondage. Guide us out of the darkness and into YOUR Light.

The Simplest Prayer

“Whoever calls, ‘Help, God!’ gets help.” (Joel 2:32 MSG)

I’ve been studying the topic of prayer for a while. There are numerous books on the subject which include elaborate prayers. Scripture encourages us to pray unceasingly. Thus, I attempt to keep constant communication with God. I write out scripture verses in the form of petitions and have a daily prayer routine. 

All this might sound wonderful, but I must confess that my motives are not so pure. I am hoping to convince God to make my life more pleasant. My prayers are often centered on worldly concerns. Along with long petitions, I attempt to direct God in how to make things better. It is not as much ‘Thy will be done” as my will be done. 

“It is not mine to direct His counsels. I am His servant, not His solicitor. I call upon Him, and He will deliver.” (C.H. Spurgeon)

I must remember that God knows how to handle every situation. He doesn’t need my advice. I am His servant, not His solicitor. It is not my place to give Him directions. All I have to do is call upon the Lord trustingly, and He will rescue me. I don’t have to prove that I am worthy. Scripture says ‘whoever calls’ and that includes me. I don’t need to have long, complicated prayers. I can call out: “Help, God.” He shall hear my cry. 

 

God Signs

“Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective.” (Colossians 3:2 MSG)

A good friend of mine has been encouraging me to keep a written record of daily ‘God-incidences’--anything that encourages me in the moment as a sign that God is present and working behind the scenes. I have been trying to follow her suggestion. 

By writing things down immediately, I preserve the feeling of hope. I notice that what seems significant in the moment often fades in a few days. For example, I may read something that speaks directly to me and my situation. This brings strength and comfort to me, but the effect may not last. Or I may sense a shift in the atmosphere that points to Divine progress, but then the insight evaporates. 

Some days, I notice several little miracles. Other days, I am scrounging for something to write down. I am sure that God is always working. Yet, because I shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of me, I miss out. When I am preoccupied by earthly concerns, I am unable to recognize God’s presence and providence. I must look up and be alert to what is going on around Christ. I must learn to see things from HIS perspective.

Tug of War

“We’re not waging war against enemies of flesh and blood alone. No, this fight is against tyrants, against authorities, against supernatural powers and demon princes that slither in the darkness of this world, and against wicked spiritual armies that lurk about in heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12 VOICE)

I once watched an impromptu, tug-of-war game at a church picnic. The participants were sorted into teams. They lined up, grabbed their side of the rope, and pulled. There didn’t seem to be any particular strategy. The game was over in a few minutes.  They all laughed amiably and went back to grab more food. A few years later, I watched a game of tug-of-war between two professional teams. Each member had a specific position based on size. The strongest guy was at the back with the rope wrapped around his body. There was constant communication among the teammates. All the guys pulled in unison, digging their heels into the ground, and leaning back as far as they could. There was a practiced rhythm to what they were doing. This was a far cry from what I had witnessed at the church picnic. 

“The purpose of prayer is not to persuade or influence God, but to join forces with Him against the enemy.” ( S. D. Gordon)

The tug-of-war between good and evil is not like a casual game at a picnic. This fight is against tyrants, against authorities, against supernatural powers and demon princes that slither in the darkness of this world, and against wicked, spiritual armies that lurk about in heavenly places. Through prayer, we get to join forces with God against the enemy. We must be strategic. We need to practice listening and working with God. Perseverance is key. Christ, our anchor, does most of the heavy lifting. Our part is to dig in our heels, lean back, and pull with Him until victory is won. 

Awareness of Malignancy

“Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him.” (Ephesians 4:18 NLT)

A friend of mine was diagnosed with cancer recently. Up until the day before the discovery, he felt fine. Then suddenly, he felt sick, went to the hospital, got a scan done, and discovered he had a malignancy. Of course, we now know that he wasn’t really fine all that time. The tumor was growing and spreading, but no one was aware. 

There are diagnostic tests for physical malignancies but not for spiritual ones. What type of soul tumors are we carrying around unknowingly? Lumps of bitterness, unforgiveness, anger, selfishness, distrust, fear, self-deception, unbelief, greed, pride, contempt, and other sins can grow and spread until they block the pathway of Grace. We may feel fine. Our lives may seem functional. However, any malignancy that is left untreated will eventually stop us in our tracks. 

Lord, make us aware early of anything that is harmful to our soul. Help us to bring our iniquities to You for excision. Bring us to deep conviction and repentance. Forgive us and heal us.