There are times in our lives that God will direct us to do things that make no sense to us. In those moments, we get to make a choice: will we do the thing, or will we be disobedient and not do it, or delay doing it?
Over the last 10 years of asking God to lead in my life, I’ve often gotten a sense that God is asking me to do something new. Especially because I’m a creature of habit and comfort, and not a risk taker, I’d much prefer to stay where I am, doing the thing I’m already doing. I know what that looks like. I don’t know what this new thing will look like, and so, I’d rather not. In those moments, I get to choose.
However, as it’s now been 10 years, I know that the better outcome, for me, is to simply obey. The late Dr Charles Stanley had a saying that has stuck in my mind and heart: ‘obey God and leave all the consequences to Him’. While some of the asks are hard and sometimes makes no sense, I know what I have to do: obey.
Dr Stanley shares a story in a few of his sermons. He’d been offered a wonderful opportunity, and everything looked great. As He prayed about it, the Lord told Him no. He had to go back to the person offering and decline what seemed like an offer of a lifetime. He explained that when God gave Him instructions, he couldn’t force God to explain why. Those words have sat in my spirit, because often times God will ask us to move, without telling us why.
1 Samuel 15:22 states ‘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’
Sacrifices were often given after sin and disobedience. This verse is telling us that obedience is far better than sacrifice in the eyes of the Lord. He would rather us heed His instructions, than to burn the fat of rams. And while we don’t burn animals anymore, we know that we will still deal with consequences when we do not do as we’re told – even as we’re forgiven. We still have to deal with the consequences.
I don’t know what hard situation you are walking through right now, but, if the Lord has directed it, He has also promised to be with you in it. Be encouraged.
Dear Heavenly Father, sometimes your instructions do not make sense to our feeble minds, but you’ve shown us that your ways are higher than ours. You see the beginning from the end, and you will not lead us astray. Help us to trust you more.