March 19

Obedience

The LORD your God commands you this day to follow these decrees and laws; carefully observe them with all your heart and with all your soul. And the LORD has declared this day that you are his people, his treasured possession as he promised, and that you are to keep all his commands (Deuteronomy 26:16, 18).

Scripture: Deuteronomy 26:16-19

Song: “Trust and Obey”

Obey! As children we heard that word often; as parents we instilled it into our children. Pet owners realize the importance of it when training a puppy, often spending money on obedience classes. In today’s reading it is clear that God demanded obedience from the children of Israel. Each verse echoes the idea that obedience is commanded.

In time as we aged and matured, we realized that obedience wasn’t meant to punish but to guide us for the highest good. God also meant that for His chosen people. If they obeyed, they could expect His guidance and blessings.

The old hymn “Trust and Obey” goes through my mind as I think of today’s text. It opens with “When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word, what a glory he sheds on our way.” As with the Israelites, God blesses today’s followers. The chorus concludes with truth for our lives, “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.”

Precious Lord, today and each day I want to walk with You, on Your path set out in Your Word, as an obedient follower. I offer my obedience as an expression of my love and as my worship of You. In Jesus’ name, amen.