Christian Living

---

The Psalmists sings the glory of obedience to God. Obedience to God is better than sacrifices.
“Sacrifice and oblation you did not desire; this you had me understand. Burnt offering and sin offering you do not require. Then I said, “Here I come! As the scroll says to me, to do your will is my delight, O God, for your law is within my heart.” (Psalm 40:7-8)

There are three kinds of obedience that we find in the Holy Bible. They are:

1) Obeying and fulfilling as per the word
2) Obeying even it is adverse and affects you
3) Remaining quiet, doing nothing but expecting God’s Will

1) Obeying the commandment as per the word

This refers to accepting the word of God with a good heart, without any refusal. Mary obeyed the word of God in every respect. She became the Mother of God.
Mary said to the servants at the Cana wedding, “Do whatever he tells you,” and Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water,” and they obeyed without any murmur or second thought. Again Jesus, “Now draw some out and take it to the steward” (John 2: 5-8). They never turned back or suspected. They just obeyed.

Another incident at the Lake of Gennesareth also reflects the same kind of obedience. In spite of the hard work throughout the night, Simon obeyed the words of Jesus and cased his net. He just said, “Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing. But if you say so, I will lower the nets.”(Like 5: 5)

2) Obeying even if it seems to be hard

We depend fully on the word of God and do accordingly. It is quite human to hesitate when our reasoning does not understand things. When God told Noah about heavy rains and about building an arc, he had no idea of them. But still he believed and obeyed God. “And Noah did all as God had commanded him.” (Genesis 6:22)

Mary obeyed the Word of God though she was frightened in her heart by the consequences of conception not accepted by the society. “Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be if I am a virgin?” When she understood that it is the plan of God, she just said, “I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me as you have said.”(Luke 1: 34, 38) She never hesitated in obeying God.
When we obey the Will of God in spite of odds, adversities and problems that hinder us from obeying will turn into blessings.

3) Remaining quiet

Sometimes we may have to rely on the Providence odd God and remain quiet without doing anything.
Elijah of the Old Testament faced the king bravely many times. But when God told him to hide by the brook Cherith, east of Jordan, he just obeyed and remained silent (1 Kings 17). If he had roamed about in the country he would have lost his head.

Many a time we have to depend on the providence of God and remain quiet resorting in prayers.
Let us remember what Ecclesiastes says, “Fear God and obey his precepts; for man depends entirely on this. God brings every deed to judgment all that is hidden, be it good or bad.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE