Obedience builds and strengthens faith. We see this several times in the Scriptures. Moses,Ezekiel, Hosea and Jonah did not fell like doing what God had asked them to do. In fact, every heartbeat within them was impelling them do do otherwise. Yet God said they were to obey. The remedy was not to do God's will becuase they felt like doing it, but just to do it and their faith would be strengthened.
When Moses demanded proof that God has indeed called him, God said, "I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain" (Ex 3:12) The proof of God's call was after the obedience, not before.
This language of Obedience may be the most difficult of all the languages we speak, one that rises above our feelings but utters volumes of faith. There are times when a difference arises between my wife and me. I have watched her stand tall at those times, and I have seen triumph of her love vanquish any dark and petty inclination. She is never afraid to reach out and resist the ugly trap of stubbornness.We do, we obey, we yield, we submit to God, even when our natural inclination wants to drag us in the opposite direction.
Under the threat of death Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego stood their ground and were sure God would deliver them. "But even if he does not," they said "we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods and worship the image of gold you have set up" (Dan 3:18) I suggest that our secular society has lost its ability to feel God because it has lost its ability to obey Him.
Psalm 119:33-34
33 Teach me, LORD, the way of your decrees,
that I may follow it to the end.[a]
34 Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law
and obey it with all my heart.
From "Masterwork" week of July 24th, Cries of the Heart
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