“God speaks to people who decide they’re going to do what he tells them to do, even before he tells them.” Rick Warren
Over the years, I have had so many people say, “I just can’t seem to hear God’s voice. Are you sure that God really speaks today?” The reality is that God is always speaking. He will not, however, speak beyond what he has already told us to do.
In the Kingdom of God, there is an incredible power that is released when we decide that we are going to obey what God asks us to do. By deciding ahead of time that we will say, “Yes, Lord,” we are setting ourselves up for success.
This does not mean that it is going to be easy. Abraham’s story is a classic example. After years of faithfulness and obedience, God blessed Abraham and Sarah with a son, Isaac. Then this happened. “Some time later, God tested Abraham’s faith. “Abraham!” God called.
“Yes,” he replied. “Here I am.”
“Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.”
“The next morning Abraham got up early. He saddled his donkey and took two of his servants with him, along with his son, Isaac. Then he chopped wood for a fire for a burnt offering and set out for the place God had told him about.” (Genesis 22: 1-3)
Notice that there is no argument or even discussion from Abraham. He simply sets out to obey. I can’t help but believe that internally, he was in turmoil. However, Abraham had years of a relationship with God. He did not always understand God’s ways but he had learned to trust him.
Don’t wait until God asks you to do something difficult to decide whether or not you are going to obey. Decide ahead of time that you will do whatever God asks of you. Set obedience as your default position. All these years later, Abraham is referred to as “the friend of God.” Obedience always leads to a deeper level of relationship with our Heavenly Father.
Is there something that you feel that God is asking you to do? Are you struggling to obey because it is hard? Feel free to leave me a comment. I would love to pray for you!
Annie and I are serving the Lord in the US, India, Africa, and beyond. Would you join our team? Together we can have a tremendous impact! Just click here to get involved. Thanks so much!
