Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight. (Ps. 119:35)
PEOPLE OF OBEDIENCE
OBEDIENCE DOESN’T COME EASILY to most people. I remember as a child that often I did what I was told to do only because I didn’t want to face the consequences disobedience would bring. As I grew and matured, I began to realize more clearly the reasons and lessons behind the directions and commands my parents and other adults gave me.
Now that I am an adult and look back on some of the choices I made out of disobedience, I see the negatives that came from those choices. I also see how obedience at the time could have kept me from those negative repercussions. Over time, I saw that people wanted only what was best for me. They wanted to teach me valuable lessons without me having to experience the negative consequences of disobedience.
The psalmist realized the benefits of obeying the Lord’s commands. Do we? God gives us commands so we can obey and thereby experience freedom in Him. If we focus only on God’s negative commands and fail to see His positive ones, we will miss the adventurous life that follows obedience.
God wants us to follow His commands, for it is in our obedience that we find joy.
Ask God to show you areas where obedience leads to delight.
Traver Paul Butcher is passionate about other cultures, travel, the outdoors, music, art, writing, leadership development, and introducing people to a man named Jesus.
