Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 8:1-2
Focus Scripture: And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that He might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. Deuteronomy 8:2 (ESV)
“Don’t get involved in anything else.” -God
I specifically heard God tell me this one morning, as I was getting ready for work. I didn’t know at the time why He was saying this but I would soon come to understand.
I love to sing! It’s truly one of my passions. Many times, I have caught myself singing at random places, not even realizing that’s what I was doing. A song is forever playing in my heart.
Shortly after hearing God instruct me not to get involved in anything else, I was approached on three different occasions, two in the same week, about singing on a few praise teams. As much as I wanted so badly to go and beg God to let me sing, I knew better.
Until then, I had never experience God instruct me not to do something that I enjoyed; something that I thought would bring Him glory. I didn’t understand it. But even in the midst of my ignorance there was peace. Although I so wanted to sing, I wanted even more to be obedient to God.
Many times, God tests us with the very things we love, to see who our hearts belong to, just like He did with the children of Israel in Deuteronomy chapter 8.
We show our love for God through our obedience to Him. The word of God teaches us that we exemplify our love for God by keeping Him commandments, see John 14:15. One of the most beautiful things about being obedient to Christ is, He will not allow us to feel slighted or left out when we obey Him. And the blessings of obedience tops anything we thought we would miss out on, had we not.
The Lord lead the Children of Israel to a place they couldn’t have even imagined in Deuteronomy 8:7-10.
Additionally, the blessing from my obedience allowed me the opportunity to be a blessing in another area of my life. I would not have had this opportunity had I accepted those singing request. Lifelong friendships where made and lives where changed through one act of obedience.
Have you ever been faced with a test of obeying God when you clearly know what His desire is for you? What was your response and what was the outcome?
Prayer: All knowing God and King, You have a plan and purpose for my life that requires me to be obedient to You. Sometimes to the point of denying my desires to fulfill Yours. But thanks be to God that Your word tells me that You will withhold no good thing from those who walk righteously in You. I ask that You give me the strength to be obedient to You and the wisdom to know that in the end, everything will work out for Your glory. In the name of Jesus, Amen!