Yes, Sir!

By -
"Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears" (1 Sam 3:9)

 Abraham is an excellent model for faith and obedience. What is special about him is that his obedience to God was consistent. He obeyed God in small matters as well as big affairs, whether it was easy for him or not. He was God's yes-man always!

God said, "Get out of your country," and he departed from there straightaway (Gen 12:1,4). —Difficult obedience!

After Lot separated from him, God told Abraham, "Look northward, southward, eastward and westward.... Arise, walk in the land through its length and its width." He unhesitantly "moved his tent" (Gen 13:14-18). —Daring obedience!

God commanded Abraham to circumcise all male children. That "very same day" he circumcised Ishmael and all the male members in his house. That "very same day" Abraham was also circumcised (Gen 17:9-14, 23-27). —Delayless obedience!

God said to Abraham to listen to Sarah and send away Ishmael. He rose "early in the morning" and sent away Hagar and Ishmael though it grieved his heart (Gen 21:8-14). —Devoted obedience!

God commanded Abraham to offer his only and beloved son as a sacrifice. If only the angel of the Lord had not stopped Abraham, he would have slain Isaac (Gen 22:1-12). —Delightful obedience!

Because Abraham obeyed God, God blessed him with a newname — "The father of many nations" (Gen 17:5). He entered into a new relationship with God and was called "A friend of God" (Js 2:23). He received a new honour — "The father of all believers" (Rom 4:11).

This is what God expects from his children — a "spirit" or an attitude of obedience. The prince of the power of the air is vehemently at work in and through those who disobey God and defy His Word (Eph 2:1,2). We are warned, "The terrible anger of God comes upon all those who disobey Him" (5:6). As the people of the world go down from disobedience to disobedience... let us, the people of the Kingdom, grow up from obedience to obedience. The Tamil language word for the "first step" of a stair and that for "obey" are the same!

Anywhere, my Saviour, lead my willing feet,
Only let me clasp Thy hand, feel Thy presence sweet;
Thorns may pierce and snares beset, I will follow Thee,
Anywhere, my Saviour, if Thou leadest me!
                                                (E.C. Ellsworth)

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Bold Voice

By -
"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the Churches"  (Rev 3:13)  Precious Child, I want to bring you out of your apprehensions to witness for Christ. You are afraid that people might mock at you. Your throat chokes every time you want to open your mouth to share the Gospel. The fear of ridicule silences you. Don't feel bad about it, My child. This was the problem of the disciples of Jesus also even though they had walked with Him for over three years. Can you imagine how a key figure like Peter could ever deny and disown Christ? Their weakness overpowered their willingness. The problem was solved by My coming. That's why Jesus wouldn't let them go out until they got filled with My power (Acts 1:4). When I came upon them, the cowards became challengers! Be filled with Me. Don't consider your timidity or boast of your oratory skill. Depend on Me. I will grant you boldness in all situations to speak forth the message of the Cros...
Read more

Utter Confusion!

By -
"They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.  But you keep your head in all situations" (2 Tim 4:4,5) I am an ardent fan of John the Baptist. There is no harm in admiring him because all who started as John's fans became Jesus' followers. A comparison of John with many Christian ministers of today makes me hang down my head in shame and sorrow.  John was filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb (Lk 1:15); but the modern prophets communicate with the spirits of men who have gone to the tomb.  The Word of God came to him (Lk 3:2); but many of their revelations contradict the written Word of God.  He was a desert-dweller, dead to the lust for popularity (Mt 3:1); but they are city-lovers, hunting for recognition and lusting limelight.  John was a voice from God (Jn 1 :23); but the modern preachers are an echo of someone of similar brand.  He did not seek pulpits but people sought him and...
Read more