Obedience, The Key to God’s Blessings

Scripture: (Deuteronomy 28:1-2 NKJ)  …”If you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today,  and all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God: that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth.”

Quote:  We cannot rely on God’s promises without obeying His commands. (John Calvin 16th Century)

Obedience is the attitude of submission to instruction and authority. Most of God’s promises of blessings are contingent upon following His instructions and keeping them. The Lord is serious when it comes to obeying what He says in His Word. He says what He means, and He means what He says. It is possible for believers to attain God’s blessings, if he lives in obedience. Blessings shall come upon you, and overtake you-overwhelm, run ahead, exceed one’s expectation. (Deut. 28:3-14) identifies God’s promises to bless His people in all places, home, city, field, as they went out and came in daily for work, prosper their efforts, victory over their enemies, supply rain for all seasons for crops and drinking, and all that they put their hands to, because they obeyed the Lord their God.

“Obedience is the only key that unlocks God’s treasure of blessing in our lives: Obeying reaps rewards, while disobedience brings consequences. The act of obedience is of the heart. Our God requires wholehearted obedience from us.  Half hearted just won’t cut it. We cannot carry out God’s instructions if done according to how we feel, what is deemed convenient or, on our own terms. You most definitely should observe God’s statues, commands, and judgements carefully with all your heart and with all your soul (Deut. 26:16). One must delight in doing so. (1.) One should note that obedience is a choice. Whatever we do or become in life is based on choices we make. God allows everyone the freedom to choose. He is always with us to guide, protect and support us; however, He does not force anyone to do what he/she does not want to do (Deut. 30:19- 20). He could not have made it any clearer than that. The choice is between life and blessings or death and cursing; eternal life or eternal death; salvation or condemnation. (2.) Obedience is an attitude. Our attitude determines our lifestyle. Our attitude builds character. Jesus cultivated an attitude of obedience. Our heavenly Father demands a life style of obedience from all of us (John 13:17). Most of the hindrances to obeying Him are self-manufactured. A few hindrances might be:  rebellion, excuses, relationships, fear, pressures. (3.) Obedience is learned. The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ learned obedience (Heb. 5:8) by the things He suffered (Heb. 5:8).

(Deut. 28:1-14), The Lord was reminding Israel that obedience brings blessings, is rewarded, brings glory to His name, is a witness to other nations, while building godly character in the people.

Prayer: Heavenly Father help us to give up on doing things our way, which is for the most part,  contrary to Your law. For we put forth much effort in giving into  attitudes that deny us blessings from the Lord.  I do desire/trust the Holy Spirit to help me to make wise choices. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

(By Novella D Carpenter)