Obedience: June 4, 2013

TODAY’S WORD FOR TUESDAY JUNE 4, 2013.

OBEDIENCE

DEFINITION:

Comply; submit; be in compliance with; respond as directed.

SCRIPTURE:

Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and observe it. Luke 11:28.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Do you realize that obedience brings blessing?  Jesus gave us simple illustrations when He was on this earth that serve as stepping stones to life’s most wonderful blessings.

In Luke 5:3 Jesus gave us one of those stepping stones. He gave Peter the opportunity to experience that obedience brings blessings early on in his relationship with Jesus as one of His disciples. The Lord wanted to use Peter’s boat as a floating platform so He could stand on it to talk to the multitude of people that were surrounding Him, hoping to hear Him speak.

Jesus asked Peter, one of His future apostles, to push his boat a little way from shore. This in itself was not a significant or remarkable request but Peter’s compliance paved the way for a life-changing blessing.

The noisy crowd received the first blessing of Peter’s obedience. They could now hear clearly the words of Jesus. At the conclusion of the lesson taught by Jesus, He asked Peter to put his boat out into the deep water and let down the nets in his boat for a catch.

This was a second opportunity for Peter to say yes or no. Peter probably leaned to decline the suggestion because he was a seasoned fisherman and he had fished all night with no results. Normally fish were netted at night in shallow water. The fish would go to deeper water during the day, to deep to be netted. If Peter thought it was useless to try to fish at this time, it is understandable. His thoughts most likely were that here was a young teacher, a carpenter, not a fisherman was asking him to go fishing again at a time when fish normally could not be netted.

The new disciple made a decision that demonstrates to us today that by responding in obedience to the request of God, Peter started on a lifetime journey of faith with God. Peter chose to obey and leave the consequences in the hands of Jesus. It was through Peter’s obedience that Jesus demonstrated His power and sovereignty to Peter and his partners. Not only did they fill their boat once with fish, but twice. This was truly proof positive that being obedient to God always brings blessing.

There are three reasons for us to consider today why obedience to God is critical for a successful Christian life. First: Obeying God in small matters is an essential stepping stone to receiving God’s greatest blessings. God’s greatest blessings will come to us, as Peter learned, when we are willing to do something that appears very insignificant.

Secondly: our obedience always benefits others. Look at how many people were blessed because Peter was obedient. God often rewards others, many times those that are the closest to us, as a result of our obedience.

Thirdly: when we obey God, we will never be disappointed. God rewarded Peter for his obedience with an abundance of fish. This was his livelyhood and he and his partners had fished all night with no response. When God blesses He blesses abundantly.

Perhaps you have hesitated to obey God because you fear the consequences of your decision. You need to remember that the Lord commands us to fear Him above all else. When you choose to obey the Lord, He will bless you. Obedience is the key that opens the door to blessing. This is a principle we all need to learn today.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Psalm 119:105:

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.

PRAYER:

Thank You for the assurance that I get from Your Word that being obedient to You in small things will help me be obedient to You in all things. Make this a reality in my life. Help me to understand that when I am obedient to You that others will be blessed and that I will never be disappointed.