Blessed Obedience
That same day Pharaoh gave this order to the slave drivers and overseers in charge of the people: 7 “You are no longer to supply the people with straw for making bricks; let them go and gather their own straw. 8 But require them to make the same number of bricks as before; don’t reduce the quota. They are lazy; that is why they are crying out, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to our God.’ 9 Make the work harder for the people so that they keep working and pay no attention to lies.”
Exodus 5:6-9
Have you ever been obedient to God’s commands and life got harder? I rekon most of us have a deep-down belief that obedience should result in material blessing. We say to ourselves, if I’m generous to Church - my finances will be safe. Or if I read my Bible every day - people will treat me better at work.
I think it’s subtle and it’s nuanced. But generally I reckon we expect obedience to God will result in things going well for us. So what happens when they don’t? We become disillusioned with God or we throw up our hands and say what was the point of that difficult obedience.
I reckon that’s what Israel is feeling. Well we know it is (go and read verse 21). It’s a stark reminder of how quickly we all can begin to doubt God. So what do we do with this?
Well, the first is to see reality. God doesn’t promise immediate material/situation blessing from obedience in a 1+1= 2 formula. But here are a few things He does promise:
1. He is pleased by obedience - you get the joy of knowing you have pleased God.
2. Obedience brings spiritual blessings - like joy of knowing you have done what is right/good.
3. Obedience often brings a healthier life - I don’t mean in terms of diet or anything like that but following God’s ways is the best way to live. I rekon obedience leads to better relationships with people, with work and with rest.
4. Obedience leads to blessings in heaven - our reward for obedience is in the riches of joy that we will reap when our time on this earth is over.
Be wise → don’t be obedient to God so that those shares you bought might go up or in the hope of winning a competition you entered. Be obedient because God loves your faith, because it leads to joy and a more joyful life. And remember Jesus who suffered the greatest mistreatment for His obedience.
For Today:
Pray:
Exodus 5:6-9
Have you ever been obedient to God’s commands and life got harder? I rekon most of us have a deep-down belief that obedience should result in material blessing. We say to ourselves, if I’m generous to Church - my finances will be safe. Or if I read my Bible every day - people will treat me better at work.
I think it’s subtle and it’s nuanced. But generally I reckon we expect obedience to God will result in things going well for us. So what happens when they don’t? We become disillusioned with God or we throw up our hands and say what was the point of that difficult obedience.
I reckon that’s what Israel is feeling. Well we know it is (go and read verse 21). It’s a stark reminder of how quickly we all can begin to doubt God. So what do we do with this?
Well, the first is to see reality. God doesn’t promise immediate material/situation blessing from obedience in a 1+1= 2 formula. But here are a few things He does promise:
1. He is pleased by obedience - you get the joy of knowing you have pleased God.
2. Obedience brings spiritual blessings - like joy of knowing you have done what is right/good.
3. Obedience often brings a healthier life - I don’t mean in terms of diet or anything like that but following God’s ways is the best way to live. I rekon obedience leads to better relationships with people, with work and with rest.
4. Obedience leads to blessings in heaven - our reward for obedience is in the riches of joy that we will reap when our time on this earth is over.
Be wise → don’t be obedient to God so that those shares you bought might go up or in the hope of winning a competition you entered. Be obedient because God loves your faith, because it leads to joy and a more joyful life. And remember Jesus who suffered the greatest mistreatment for His obedience.
For Today:
- Do you sometimes think about obedience/blessing this way?
- What does obedience to God look like for you today?
- Reflect on the blessings of obedience today.
Pray:
- Praise the Father for His grace in blessing undeserving sinners.
- Give thanks for Jesus who suffered the greatest mistreatment for His obedience.
- Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you and others trust in God’s delayed promises.
Posted in Exodus
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