Obedience
…or of obedience, which leads to righteousness. Romans 6:16, ESV
Obedience: to submit, obey, submissive to authority.
I had just finished resting and praying in the Spirit when this image came to my mind. The Holy Spirit reminded me of a time when He really started to deal with me about being obedient.
I had gone shopping at an expensive store and bought two outfits. While shopping I heard the Holy Spirit tell me exactly what I could purchase, even down to the jewelry I could buy to go with each outfit. On my way out of the store, I saw these shoes that would match perfectly with what I bought. Now I did not hear the Holy Spirit tell me to get the shoes, but they just looked so good with the outfits that I purchased them anyway.
I was so excited about these new outfits I could not wait to wear them. Several weeks went by and every time I went to put on one of the outfits, I would hear the Holy Spirit say “No, put on something else.” About three weeks later, my sister called and said she was coming by for a visit. I was excited to have a visit with her because we had not seen each other for a while. When I hung up the phone, I heard the Holy Spirit say, “Give those two outfits you purchased with the jewelry to your sister.” My heart sank. “But God, I bought shoes to go with the outfit!” He said, “I never told you to buy shoes but since you did, you can give her those too.”
Now my heart turned from a joyous occasion of seeing my sister to being mad. I thought, “God, I did not even get to wear the outfits!” He said, “I know - they were never for you.” All of a sudden, the truth about how much I love God was in a battle with my desire for this stuff! I knew I had to be obedient to God; I did not have a choice. But I was upset! So, I gave her the outfits when she arrived and I thought that was it. Then one Sunday I saw my sister at church, and she had the shoes and a top from one of the outfits all mixed up with something else. I thought, “God, she is not even wearing the outfits right!”
I was so irritated. I had no idea that the material stuff had such a hold on me. Through submission and obedience, even though I had an attitude, God was cleaning out all of that junk inside of me. He was turning my heart towards the righteousness of Christ. I remember guilt and condemnation was trying to settle into my spirit because I knew I did not have the right attitude towards my sister - and it was not even her fault! But God in His graciousness showed me that He was working on my heart, and I was right where I was supposed to be.
God is always doing a work in us, and it will require submission of our will. When we surrender to God, we are releasing control. Remember when King Saul disobeyed God, it cost him his kingdom and God withdrew His presence from him? Obedience is better than sacrifice. “Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience which leads to righteousness” (Romans 6:16).
Jehovah, thank you for the reminder that in all things I am called to release control to you. I asked for forgiveness for the times when I disobeyed your instructions and did my own thing. I repent and I ask for your help with surrendering my will in everything. In Jesus’s name, amen.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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