Obedience

Bible Reading: Jeremiah 35

Did you know that God does not honour people for doing great things, he honors people for doing what he wants them to do? Also, don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? (Romans 6:16)

God is interested in our absolute obedience because to obey is to surrender our will unto Him. Many people find it challenging to obey because they do not want to follow other’s instructions. To obey God takes a great deal of faith. In our Bible reading today, God instructed prophet Jeremiah to test the Rechabites. Jeremiah placed wine before them and asked them to drink. The Rechabites refused to drink the wine because Jonadab, their father instructed them before he died not drink wine nor build houses for they belong to the tribe of Levi.

The encounter with Jeremiah was intimidating in many ways: among other things, Jeremiah was like a national prophet recognized and known throughout the land. Also, the encounter happened inside one of the chambers at the temple. The circumstances should have given them reasons to cave in and disobey but they did not. In fact, if the Rechabites were people pleasers, they would have abandoned their family traditions, and the instruction given to the by Jonadab, their father. Rather, they refused to give in to Jeremiah’s request. This is because they were in absolute obedience to their father. God was impressed by this and he blessed them exceedingly.

Here’s the word for today: it’s high time you started obeying God no matter the cost, for there is a great gain when your obedience is complete. Make up your mind to obey God.

Daily Confession: I am obedient. I reject every rebellious spirit and attitude in my life in the name of Jesus.

Intercessory prayers: Let us continue to pray that God will heal the world in Jesus name, amen.

Hymn: Trust and obey

For there’s no other way

To happy in Jesus

But to trust and obey.