Why Don’t We? “Obey, and Be Safe!” O-B-E-D-I-E-N-C-E
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The Bible View
In This Issue:
Volume:722 September 6, 2019
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Why Don’t We?
Bill Brinkworth
Christians have the opportunity to do God’s will and way. It is an honor to be used by Him and a privilege to obey Him. However, if we will do not do what He requires of us, God can and will use others or even inanimate objects to do as He desires.
Throughout the Bible, many creatures and inanimate objects obeyed God to do as He commanded. Here are several of them:
- The
cherubims and a flaming sword guarded the Garden of Eden.
“So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.” Gen. 3:24 - The animals, big and small, obeyed God and went into the ark with Noah: Gen 7:9.
- The windows of heaven and the rains obeyed God and were opened and brought a great flood upon the Earth: Gen. 7:11-12.
- The clouds still obey and show man the reminder of God’s promise to never flood the Earth again by displaying a rainbow: Gen. 10:14.
- The angels obeyed. They went to Lot in Sodom and appeared to Jacob (Gen., 32:1). Throughout the Bible, angels obeyed God’s will.
- The weather obeyed when rain was held back during the drought of Joseph’s day (Gen, 41:56). Thunder and hail (including Rev. 16:21) obeyed God and fell to the Earth many times. The dew was obedient to God’s command when Gideon’s fleece was wet with the dew, and the surrounding earth was dry.
- During Moses’ ministry to the people of Israel, Pharaoh’s heart obeyed God and was “hardened” (Gen. 7:13). Water obeyed and was changed to blood (Ex. 7:20). Frogs obeyed (Ex. 8:6). Flies obeyed (Ex, 8:24). Locusts obeyed (Ex. 10:13). The sea obeyed and made a passageway for Moses and Israel to cross on dry land (Ex. 14:21, 27). A similar incidence occurred during Joshua’s leadership (Josh. 3:16).
“And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,) 16 That the waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho.” Joshua 3:15
- Balaam’s donkey obeyed and talked (Num. 22:28).
- A
whale obeyed God and swallowed Jonah (Jonah 1:17) and later vomited him out on
dry land.
“And the LORD spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.” Jonah 2:10 - The fig tree obeyed Jesus and withered and died.
“And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he [Jesus]came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.” Mat. 21:19
- The waters obeyed and were still after Peter walked on the water (Mat. 14:32).
We are the creatures made in God’s image, yet we too often do not obey Him. Why will we not do as the Lord commands us? We cannot blame ignorance, because we have all heard the Holy Spirit’s quiet voice urging us to do something. Most have a conviction of something they “felt” they must do or stop. His demand to us could have been for us to get saved, baptized, stop a particular sin, telling someone how to be saved or what the Bible teaches about a situation, or getting involved in a ministry. We are silent because we are stubborn and rebellious.
“Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.” Acts 7:51
“And the LORD said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people:” Ex. 32:9
Even though we ignore or disobey God’s calling to us to do as He bids, tasks need to be done so God can get the glory and His will and way will be accomplished. If God’s people do not do as they are commanded, He may have to use other means.
God’s creation obeys Him. Why do we not?
“It is vain thought to flee from the work that God appoints us, for the sake of finding a greater blessing, instead of seeking it where alone it is to be found in loving obedience.”
— Eliot
“Obey and Be Safe!”
C. H. Spurgeon
A ship is on fire. Bales of cotton are pouring forth black, horrible smoke. Passengers and crew are in extreme danger, but a capable captain is in command, and he says to those around him, “If you behave yourselves and obey, I think I shall be able to save you all.”
Now, if they trust the captain, they will do precisely as he orders. No sailor or engineer will refuse to work the pumps or to prepare the boats. No passengers will disobey the captain’s commands. They would obey his orders immediately.
They believe his orders to be wise, and so they keep them. Neither their fear nor their rashness will lead them to rush to and fro contrary to his bidding, if they have a firm trust in him.
When the boats are lowered and are brought one by one to the ship’s side, those who are to fill them will wait until their turn comes. They will be patient in firm reliance upon the captain’s impartiality and prudence.
They will get into the boats, or they will wait on board, for they consider that his orders are dictated by a better judgment than their own. If each man and woman firmly believes in the superior officer, discipline will be maintained.
Obedience is the necessary outcome of true and real Christian faith, and there is no trust where there is no obedience. Some believe that they should trust Christ, but do what they like. However, the faith which saves, changes, and leads is a faith which obeys.
“Obedience to God is the most infallible evidence of sincere and supreme love for him.”
— Emmons
O-B-E-D-I-E-N-C-E
Unknown Author of this children’s song
Obedience is the very best way,
To show that you believe.
Doing exactly what the Lord commands,
Doing it happily.
Action is the key – do it immediately,
Joy you will receive.
Chorus:
Obedience is the very best way to show that you believe.
O-B-E-D-I-E-N-C-E
Obedience is the very best way to show that you believe.
We want to live pure. We want to live clean.
We want to do our best.
Sweetly submitting to authority,
Leaving to God the rest.
Walking in the light, keep our attitudes right,
On the narrow way.
For if you believe the Word you receive,
You always will obey!
Chorus:
A Sunday School teacher once asked her class “How is the will of God done in Heaven?”
One child answered, “Cheerfully.”
Another chided, “By everybody.”
A third “All the time.”
The best answer was, “It is done without asking any questions.” — D. L. Moody
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