Merriam-Webster defines obey in this way - "to follow the commands or guidance of; to conform to or comply with."
The Learners Dictionary definition is: "to do what someone tells you to do or what a rule, law, etc., says you must do."
For most of us being obedient isn't much of a problem in the ordinary course of our lives. We stop at red lights, don't take what isn't ours, refrain from harming others, just to name a few. However, when it comes to those intangibles - the choices I make in my personal life - it gets a bit stickier. After all, we're apt to think, as long as I'm not hurting anyone else, I should be free to do whatever I choose to do. And so we are. It's called free will.
Making the choice to walk in obedience to a higher authority can be a frightening proposition. What if we're asked to do something we don't want to do; what if it's something dangerous or frightening? Even when that higher authority is a God we say is good and loving, obedience often comes with a certain degree of fear.
Until we catch just a tiny glimpse of life from a heavenly perspective.
Most of us are familiar with the story of Abraham and Isaac. Abraham had an extraordinary relationship with God. He walked in obedient faith, and the Lord blessed him. Isaac, Abraham's beloved son, was tangible evidence of God's hand of blessing on Abraham's life - the fulfillment of promises made long ago.
Than came the day when obedience to the God he loved, led Abraham on a three day journey to Mt. Moriah to sacrifice his only son. He had no way of knowing what God would do, he simply trusted as he took one step after another toward the place he had been told to go.
Our Pastor recently spoke about this moment in Abraham's life - that moment when he raised the knife over the bound body of his boy and, before he could bring it down, hearing the voice from heaven telling him to stop. Then, perhaps through tear dimmed eyes, seeing the ram in the thicket - God's provision.
Rams, our Pastor said, don't inhabit Mt. Moriah at that altitude. Yet, as Abraham walked obediently up the side of that mountain, God was sending his provision up the other side to meet him. He had no way of knowing what God was doing on his behalf, He only knew he could trust Him to make all things right...
The rest of this devotional is at Laced With Grace. Please join me there.
Blessings,
Linda
