Obedience
One
of the first lessons we learn from the appointment of the first King to serve
over Israel is that obedience is better than sacrifice. “But
Samuel replied: ‘Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as
much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is
better than the fat of rams.’” (I Sam 15:22). The fall of man in the Garden of Eden was due
to disobedience to a simple request; as followers of the Lord, how much more so
it is to live a life that is obedient to the Spirit of God. The Hebrew word, Shama,means to hear, listen, and obey.[1] “Now if you obey My voice and keep My
covenant, then out of all nations you will be My treasured possession.” (Ex.
19:5).
Throughout Scripture we find that obedience is central to
establishing communion with the Lord.
Those who desire a relationship with the Father must live a life worthy
of the calling placed upon us. Paul
states, “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of
the calling you have received.”
(Eph. 4:1) We learn in Romans 1:5 that
obedience comes from living a life of faith. As we operate in the realm of
faith, we find that obedience becomes a lifestyle for us.
If
there is no call for obedience, then everything becomes tolerated. Without the commandments of the Lord
(including the Ten Commandments), we would be even a more depraved world. However, God promises His blessings upon us
if we “Keep the commandments of the Lord.” (Deut. 11:27). If we surrender our lives to the Lord, we
will enjoy His richest blessings, prevailing peace, and daily Divine
encounters. “And if we are careful to obey
all this law before the Lord our God, as he has commanded us, that will be our
righteousness.” (Deut. 6:25).
[1] James A. Fowler, Christ In You
Ministries, ed. James A, Fowler, 1999,
http://www.christinyou.net/pages/obedience.html (accessed Aug 28, 2010).
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