BIBLE PASSAGE:
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God,
and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.
(1 John 5:1)
MEDITATION:
Are We Obedient Servants?
Have we made a decision to follow God as ‘a way of life’? Not
obeying once in a while, but rather, complying in every area
‘to the best of our ability’. Or do we find that we sometimes
struggle to do His will?
Disobedience is not always wrapped up in a sinful-looking package.
It can be as simple as refusing to act upon what God has gifted,
trained, and called us to do. Our resistance to His plan can bring
misery and regret due to our limited insight into the future.
But God has promised to provide the guidance that we need:
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not
lean on your own understanding. In all your ways
acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths
straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the
LORD and turn away from evil. It will be healing
to your body and refreshment to your bones.
(Proverbs 3:5-8)
Being obedient does not mean we will never make mistakes,
or face adversity. However, when trouble comes, the way will
be straight, sure, and manageable because our trust is in God.
The prophet Isaiah reassured us:
The LORD will continually guide you, and satisfy
your desire in scorched places, and give strength
to your bones; and you will be like a watered garden,
and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.
(Isaiah 58:11)
Notice that both passages of Scripture speak of physical
health and well-being. We may be living in complete
obedience, and yet are battling a serious illness. That
situation does not mean we’ve done something wrong.
But believers who refuse to trust and obey God can feel stressed,
pressured, out of control, and fearful; all of these emotions often
contribute to health problems. Disobedience can also be a simple
case of not trusting Him to guide our decisions concerning family,
community, job, or anything else.
Obedience Is a Choice
Many of us may not adequately consider the impact our decisions
can have on the future. Often believers make choices based on
what makes sense. For example, if the interest rates are low, it
must be the right time to purchase a house. However, no matter
how the circumstances look, our decisions must always be directed
by the Lord.
In Luke 5,
Peter was faced with a life-changing choice that, at first,
appeared insignificant. Jesus had been preaching along
the shore of the Lake of Gennesaret (also known as the
Sea of Galilee).
With His back to the water, the crowd was pressing
in on Him. One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake
of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him
and listening to the word of God. (Luke 5:1)
When the Lord climbed aboard Peter’s boat and asked the
fisherman to move it off shore a little distance, the future
apostle obeyed.
He got into one of the boats, the one belonging
to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from
shore. Then he sat down and taught the people
from the boat. (Luke 5:3)
That was Peter’s first step toward obedience. Unlike salvation,
obedience is not a gift, but a process – something we learn over
time.
After Jesus finished preaching, He had another request:
When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon,
“Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for
a catch.” (Luke 5:4)
Look at Peter’s obedient response.
Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard
all night and haven’t caught anything. But
because you say so, I will let down the nets.”
(Luke 5:5)
Going back out to fish in the heat of the morning didn’t seem
wise to Peter. Every fisherman knew that the fish stayed on the
bottom of the lake during the day. But Peter obeyed (although
he may have been reluctant and unsure).
People sometimes sense God’s leading but fail to see the
logic in what He’s telling them to do. Many have said,
“I just don’t know whether God wants me
to do this. It simply doesn’t make sense.”
However, we should trust the Lord and not over analyze the
situation to determine what we might gain or lose. When we
hear His voice and submit to His leading, we increase our
faith and develop greater confidence in Him. Calculating,
questioning, and doubting will not build the faith that He
wants us to have.
Peter chose to obey Jesus’ unusual request to fish during the
day. As a result his catch was so successful that the nets began
to break, requiring John and the others to come and help him.
The only words Peter could utter to the Savior were:
When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’
knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I
am a sinful man!” (Luke 5:8)
When he saw the results of his obedience, he was ashamed
for not trusting the Lord even though he obeyed Him.
For he and all his companions were astonished
at the catch of fish they had taken (Luke 5:9)
Here is one truth on which we can stake our life:
“If Jesus asks us to do something, we know
without a doubt that a blessing will follow
(not only for us, but often for others as well)”
The outcome of Peter’s faith was a new line
of work – one with an eternal purpose.
Jesus said to him, “Don’t be afraid;
from now on you will fish for people.”
(Luke 5:10)
ACTION:
What is God’s will for you? Only His plan guarantees you
maximum joy, peace, and purpose. The way He operated in
Peter’s life is the same way He will operate in yours: step by
step, guiding you in the process of obedience. This is an
awesome way to live the rest of your life – in the shadow
of the Father’s constant care; in the light of His truth
and eternal glory; with a new purpose that culminates
with seeing Him face to face!
Pray,
“Heavenly Father, I want this Christmas to be the
start of a new connectivity with You. Help me to give
You more control in my life and teach me to listen for
Your directions, and to obey You without making
excuses or trying to rationalize the pros and cons of
following Your call. I look forward to the blessings
You have for me as a result of my obedience.”
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