Prompt Obedience

Such delight it brings when our children do as they’re told, quickly and without fussing. They do not realize how much it really blesses us.  And doesn’t it save a lot of time?

 As a parent, my children’s obedience makes me feel regarded and honored as opposed to overlooked and disrespected. Their obedience is also extremely assuring because, unknown to them, they gain protection when they obey. That is of course, when we are instructing them to do what is right. 

How is that? When your child, in obedience, keeps his fingers from touching the electric fan, or does not run with a sharp object, he is kept from harm’s way. Or when I tell my son to bring an extra shirt and he obeys, he is able to change to a new one; in case he gets all sweaty, preventing him from getting sick.  As they grow older, our reminders to them to do things in moderation, to focus or stay clear of this and that, are all born out of our desire to guide and protect them.

However, there are times when it is not as easy to engage their cooperation. There will be times, they will delay obedience, partially obey or just disobey. When they do, my natural reaction is to correct but many times, they simply mirror to me my own depravity. Where am I disobedient and failing to honor my Father in heaven?  Where am I delaying to act on what God has already revealed to me? Have I forgotten that His instructions are given with my best in mind?

The psalmist’s declares his choice in Psalm 119:60-61, “I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands; though the wicked bind me with ropes, I will not forget your law.”   

To hasten means to hurry, to proceed and not linger, just like Abraham when the Lord asked him to carry out a very difficult task, it struck me that he set out to do it early in the morning. Remarkable. It amazes me how one can promptly do what is difficult. Perhaps had he chosen to do it later, more voices would probably discourage him from heeding God’s call.  Perhaps Sarah would have intervened. Perhaps a late morning trip would be too hot so it would then be further delayed. And so forth and so on. Delays give opportunity for distraction that may dampen our resolve to obey, leading to disobedience. And for Abraham, this was not an option.

For an illustration closer to home, in the area of giving—I have heard of many who are often led to give but fail to act promptly on their resolve. Sooner than later the amount set aside gets spent on other legitimate needs. Money does have wings!!  The opportunity is gone to bless and to be blessed.

When we are set to follow God’s leading, it is wisest to do it promptly in the power of the Holy Spirit, for on our own, we are prone to distraction. Moreover, we need to be aware that forces exist with the purpose of making us ineffective.

It is common for some to spend time in prayer, usually, at the start of the day. When we fail to prioritize, we end up lost in a truckload of chores and unending calls that demand our time and attention.  This has happened to me. The enemy may not bind me with ropes, but he has, by tempting me to stay busy, busy, busy-- to the neglect of my precious time with the Lord. How much peace and blessing I have forfeited by refusing to obey the call to pray!

How about you? What good intentions or commitments do you need to follow through? May Jesus give you the grace to put your faith in action, work in you what is pleasing in His sight and empower you to trust and obey.  Perhaps today, like the psalmist, you, too can bless God’s heart and say with all determination, “Though the wicked bind me with ropes, I will not forget your law.”