Greetings, Dear Friends!
And to those visiting, I say welcome! I post every Wednesday and my sole purpose is to nourish your soul along the way.
Each month I give away a $10.00 gift card to someone who posts on my blog. This month's card comes from Starbucks. So leave a comment, share a story or insight, bless lots of people, and just maybe you'll win a jolt of java for you and a friend!
Now on to my topic...
If you read last week's post you know that I'm going through a number of transitions in life. On top of that I'm working on a new book titled, Growing Grateful Kids: Teaching Them to Appreciate an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Places. This book has me taking many trips down memory lane.
While recalling many of the battles and victories on this journey of faith, I've noticed something very important. Obedience is crucial for us as Believers, and we'll never enjoy the full victory and blessing God intends for us without it.
Every time I heeded the voice of God and obeyed Him even when it cost me, I came out of those times richer spiritually, more aware of His presence, and more sensitive to His voice. When He entrusted me with little and I was faithful, He blessed me with more of Himself (and the opposite is true as well).
When I think of my own kids and the times they chose to respectfully obey me even when it crossed their will, their actions both blessed and honored me. So much so that I blessed and honored them when the time was right. How much greater is God's work on our behalf!
In the book of Samuel, King Saul was given a clear directive from the Lord. And yet he only partially obeyed. Then he made excuses (ever do that?). Read Samuel's response from 1 Samuel 15:22-23 (NLT):
But Samuel replied, "What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Obedience is far better than sacrifice. Listening to him is much better than offering the fat of rams. Rebellion is as bad as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as bad as worshiping idols. So because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you from being king."
God calls for our obedience every single day. He speaks, nudges, urges, and prompts us to be living, breathing representatives of the Most High God. We have to be daily in tune with Him if we hope to fully obey Him.
I remember one day reading an essay written by A.W. Tozer where he explored the difference between the giants of the Christian faith, and those who only blended in. He stated that since God is no respecter of persons, the difference had to be in the people themselves. What he found was quite interesting. Looking back at the Wesleys, Finney, the Booths, and the other greats from our past, he observed that the differences were as stark as the day is long. Some were educated, others weren't; some were rich, others were poor. But what they did have in common is this: these spiritual giants listened for the voice of the Lord and when He spoke, they did something about it. And God entrusted them with more.
Obedience is paramount to living out the gigantic calling on our lives. Not just obeying the commandments; of course do those. But obey in the personal, every day ways. The ways that others may not notice and only you and God know about. Obey when it suits you and when it doesn't. Obey when it costs you and trust Him through it all.
Let's look at the second part of the verse above:
Rebellion is as bad as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as bad as worshiping idols.
That's a tough verse to swallow and one most people like to brush aside. Just as obedience to the Lord opens the door for Him to work more powerfully in our lives, rebellion opens the door for the devil to work more powerfully in our lives.
We may think it's cute to be mad at God and to tout an adolescent attitude towards Him when things don't go our way. But these are serious times requiring a serious look at our faith walk. The very fact that rebellion and stubbornness towards God opens us up to untold evil, should put the fear of God in us. Jesus is out for our best. The devil is out to deliver his worst.
Father in Heaven,
Raise up a new standard within me! Help me to be more sensitive to Your voice and more apt to obey. Give me the faith and humility to follow You even when it doesn't suit me. Ultimately I know You are writing a beautiful story with my life and You know the best way for me. I love You and trust You. Help me to love and trust You more. Amen.
Have a blessed and wonderful week!
PS ~ If you haven't signed up for my quarterly E-zine, you may want to! The next issue comes out mid-July. My author friends give away a number of their books. I write a devotional and offer some great book recommendations and wonderful quotes. And I send you on your way with a prayer of blessing. Click on the link below to sign up:
Love it, Doreen.
Partial obedience IS disobedience. May we walk in the fear of the Lord daily. He is good and can be trusted!
Posted by: Susie Larson | July 02, 2009 at 06:10 PM
Anna,
I loved your insights. Obedience is at times easier than we expect it to be. And choosing to obey can sometimes be the greatest challenge of all. Excellent! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Susie Larson | July 02, 2009 at 03:45 PM
King Saul made quite a few excuses for ignoring God's instructions. He stepped out of God's will and committed this sin. Samuel called Saul's action 'insubordination'. Saul only partially obeyed the LORD--still in rebellion. Partial obedience is disobedience. Love the Word, Susie! :)
Posted by: Doreen | June 29, 2009 at 02:16 PM
Dear Jill,
Thanks for your wonderful, honest post. May you, like young David, run to the battle with your stones of truth and a heart full of faith and courage. The God who leads you is faithful. Blessings!
Posted by: Susie Larson | June 22, 2009 at 07:36 PM
Stephanie,
I smiled when I read your post. :) I'm glad you enjoyed your morning quiet time. May God bless you with deep, nourishing sleep that you may easily rise early in the morning and nourish your soul in God's presence. Every single morning, I get out of bed, I look out the window at the sun coming up through the trees, and I say out loud, "Every day I'm in the Father's presence; and all that He has is mine; I have more than enough to live abundantly today. Yes, Lord." It's a great way to start the day. Bless you!
Posted by: Susie Larson | June 22, 2009 at 07:18 PM
So true. Another thing I find so good of God is His graciousness when it comes to our obedience: when we do obey, I find that obedience is so much easier that I expect it to be. The hardest part is choosing to obey . . . but once we make that choice, God is infinitely gracious in giving a Joy in that obedience!
Posted by: anna J | June 19, 2009 at 07:40 PM
Susie, Great words once again. I needed the reminder of how critical obedience really is in both the big and the small. We just read thru Samuel and the look back at that was a good thing - God doesn't want my stuff, money, time, talents, He wants me - all of me, all the time. I know He is calling me to step out and do something I have never done and though that scares me, you've made it pretty simple, "Do I rebel or obey?" Praying I will do what is right. Blessings to you, Jill
Posted by: Jill | June 17, 2009 at 04:25 PM
Susie, a great post as always. I'm working on becoming more expectant of what God will do and does throughout my day. In Psalm 5:3 David that he prays early in the morning and waits in expectation for the Lord. I read that yesterday and thought, getting up early to pray: yikes! Do you know what the Lord did for me? I work up at 6:15 this morning. Wide awake, thank you very much. I had a sweet quiet time and my kids slept in. Awesome!
Posted by: Stephenie | June 17, 2009 at 09:44 AM