Prayer to increase obedience
Written by Tammy Darling
Bible reading:
“Walk in all that the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live and prosper in the land that you can get, and that you may live long.” Deuteronomy 5:33, NIV
Listen or read below:
In the Garden of Eden, God gave Adam and Eve one simple rule. They still managed to beat it. In the end, they rejected God’s authority.
We all must make a personal decision to accept or reject God’s authority. That includes those to whom God has given authority over us. These are people who don’t care about rules, live their lives haphazardly, and don’t believe they have a responsibility to anyone. They believe there is no good reason to follow the rules.
We live in a society that values individual freedom. Any restrictions are viewed with disdain. Rules create bondage, they say. But in reality, a world without rules is a scary place to live. It won’t be long before we self-destruct.
Can you imagine what our country would be like if we didn’t have a constitution? Can you imagine large corporations functioning well without mission statements? These guidelines determine how we live and interact with others.
Imagine a soccer game without rules. It may seem like fun at first, but over time the player is likely to get seriously injured. That’s why the rules are in place in the first place. God’s one rule, or instruction, to Adam and Eve was for their protection.
Think about what it’s like to drive without rules. The death toll will skyrocket. Or what if doctors didn’t have to follow strict standards? If they did, I wouldn’t want them to operate on me.
People generally expect rules in many areas, but whether they are willing to follow them is another matter entirely. We seem to be born with a rebellious spirit. But God expects obedience.
“Does the Lord have the same pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying Him? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to be mindful than the fat of rams” (1 Samuel 15:22, NIV).
Many people think that the Bible is just a book with rules that they don’t want to follow. Yes, there are certain “rules” in the Bible, but they are for our benefit.
When you buy a new car, it always comes with an instruction manual. Manuals are written by the people who designed the car so you know how to use it, how to maintain it, and how to keep it safe.
For Christians, the Bible is an “instruction manual.” And just like with a new car, you can’t expect things to go well in your Christian walk if you don’t do what the “manual” says.
Although the word rule often has a negative connotation, giving the law was an act of love. After 400 years of slavery, the Israelites did not know how to govern themselves or relate to God. The Law was given as a guideline for living so that life would ultimately go well. If the Law had not been given, the Israelites would essentially still be in slavery.
We once had a fenced-off herd of American bison on our farm. We set these boundaries for our protection and theirs. From this perspective, it’s easy to see that boundaries help rather than hinder.
God does the same for us. His boundaries are for our own good. They are not meant to limit us, they are meant to protect us. Rules create consistency by establishing boundaries and help avoid confusion and confusion.
Obedience should not be invoked just because you want something in return. We obey, not because God is showing favor to us, but because God has already shown favor to us.
We tend to follow those we love, trust, and respect. Such traits foster loyalty. As we regularly reflect on all that the Lord has done, our love, trust, respect, and therefore desire to follow him increases.
When love is our motive, God’s “rules” are not a heavy yoke, but a natural response. Obedience is a grateful response to the One who always has our best interests at heart.
Love motivates us to obey, and as a result we experience love more fully. Behind every Christian act of obedience is the reality of Almighty God.
God gave us rules to live by. God also gave us free will. The choice is ours to make. God expects obedience, but He does not force us to do so.
To obey or not to obey? That is a question we have to answer again and again throughout our lives.
Let’s pray:
main,
We appreciate your wisdom in establishing rules and boundaries to follow for the benefit of ourselves and others. We are grateful that as we obey, You will bless us exponentially as we deepen our relationship with You each day.
In your mighty name, amen.
Share your thoughts on today’s devotion in the Daily Prayer discussion in the Crosswalk Forum.
Photo credit: Unsplash/Ben White
Tammy Darling is the author of 1,600 articles and three books. She writes from her home in rural Pennsylvania.
Related resource: Establish a rest routine
For a long time, rest felt less like a gift and more like a guilty indulgence. It was something that was earned, something that felt vaguely embarrassing, and something that productive, loyal people didn’t really need. In a world where we measure our worth by our accomplishments, the idea of stopping feels dangerously backwards.
But what if rest isn’t an option? What if it was never meant to be? Forget about the hustle and bustle tonight. Receive a gift. This is exactly what you were created for. Your Nightly Prayer is a daily Christian prayer podcast brought to you by LifeAudio Podcast Network and Crosswalk.com. Each night, the team at Crosswalk.com brings you devotions and prayers to help you end your day with a conversation with God. May these night prayers help you find the words to pray and focus your heart and mind on God’s love at the end of the day. If you like what you hear, subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode.
