As usual, it’s writing time, with my very tight deadline, and nothing to say. So I do what I normally do, take a deep breath and ask God to tell me what to say. As I was speaking with a praying friend, I even recruited him to pray on my behalf.
I read one of my normal devotions and it had something to do with obedience. As I silenced my own thoughts and asked God for my direction, the ‘Blessings of Obedience’ came to mind, even with a passage.
But I should pause here and tell you that as I was praying and asking God to be obedient, in the next breath, I was asking Him not to have me do something specific that I don’t want to do. I’m saying, ‘Father, I want to be obedient, but please don’t ask me to do.. xyz’… please tell me I’m not the only one.
As I only had a topic, and a vague scripture, I decided to open my Bible. It opened to a page that I had not been obedient about – even though I knew it at the time. And it’s repeated a few times in that Book of the Bible. I don’t believe it’s a condemnation, I think it’s a reminder of what can happen when we are disobedient about something we already know.
I read it, and kept flipping through, and a few pages later, the exact scripture that had come to mind was written and underlined by me with a note.
Isaiah 1:19 reads ‘if you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land’
As I’ve paid closer attention, I realize that these circumstances are not sheer coincidences. When I ask the Lord to speak with me, and truly listen, I believe that the God of the universe comes and shares with me.
Isn’t that amazing?
I’m still praying for an obedient heart, and to do the things that are not easy.
Dear Heavenly Father, we are so grateful that you not only listen to our requests, but you answer too. Thank you that you are a Father that teaches us in love and that you are just in everything you do. Help me to be obedient to all you ask of me.
