I teach the 8- to 12-year olds in my church. They are an eager bunch who love to listen !
One of the things I always tell them is that obeying God is always better even if it means they lose everything. I've told them the stories of Daniel and his three friends who decided not to partake in food that they felt would be displeasing to God and how that resulted in them being blessed by God (God made 10 times more intelligent than their peers -Daniel 1). I've told them of how Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego refused to bow to an idol and how that got them thrown into a furnace but then God in His awesomeness saved them ! These are powerful stories of how obedience to God ended up well for these individuals.
But what happens when obeying God means you will lose your sense of security, your freedom or even your life ? I've been thinking about this lately because in my life experience I have found that sometimes when you choose to the obey the Lord, you almost look foolish. In fact, most of the time, people stop short of actually telling you that you are foolish.
And so I've had those days when I've gone back to God on my knees with tears as big as the rain drops in a tropical rain-storm streaming down my cheeks as I have told Him, "Lord, this is the way you said I should go. Don't leave me hanging, Lord. Come through for me God !"
I think I can identify with the author of Psalm 3 when he says :
Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.
But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.
I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me.
I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.
What do I do when obeying God is hard ? I keep obeying Him because He ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS has my best interest at heart and He will be sure to sustain me. He has never lied to anyone and He definitely is not going to start now.
6 comments:
Thank you, sister. I so needed these encouraging words today as my soul is feeling overwhelmed, but I thank our father God for the fellowship of the saints!
pat
Dear Pat, something about the way you called me "sister" struck a cord inside of me! Indeed we are sisters in Christ and I am glad that we can encourage and build each other up in the Lord. Be encouraged today. The Lord God is the lifter of your head, Amen !
I found you through a wise woman blog. Very true! thank you for sharing! I will visit you again.
Hi Sara ! Thanks for visiting. It's a blessing for you to have stopped by. God bless you !
amen!
this is an encouraging post to press on!
thanks for sharing!
Gertrude...How true it is when we are asked to do the hard obedience. But you are right...God always does what is best for us and we need to trust that. Thank you for sharing at WJIM this week. Blessings.
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