Obedience and blessings are connected. When we obey God not only does it bless us, but it blesses those around us in so many ways. The Lord took a chance when He created mankind with free will. When Adam and Eve fell into sin as recorded in Genesis three, it was a direct result of being disobedient and they suffered the consequences.
There is not a day that goes by where we don’t have an opportunity to choose to obey or disobey God. There are times in my life where I knowingly disobeyed God and had to humble myself and ask for forgiveness. Those are the times I ask myself, “What was I thinking?”
As you study the Scriptures there is not one time recorded that disobedience to God ever worked out. Also, each time the Lord called someone to be obedient, it always worked out no matter the difficulty of God’s request. For me that was one of the most amazing personal discoveries because it has helped me to step out in faith and trust God.
Abraham’s Obedience and Resulting Blessing
Abraham was a great person of faith because he trusted the Lord and walked in obedience. For Abraham it was not easy, but there was a great reward. Genesis 22:13 Then Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in a thicket. So he took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering in place of his son. 14 Abraham named the place Yahweh-Yireh (which means “the Lord will provide”). To this day, people still use that name as a proverb: “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.”
15 Then the angel of the Lord called again to Abraham from heaven. 16 “This is what the Lord says: Because you have obeyed me and have not withheld even your son, your only son, I swear by my own name that 17 I will certainly bless you. I will multiply your descendants beyond number, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will conquer the cities of their enemies. 18 And through your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed—all because you have obeyed me.” [1]
Today we are reaping the benefit because Abraham obeyed God, because the line of the Savior went through Abraham.
Our Obedience and Blessings
Obedience comes as we grow in faith. We need change in our sinful hearts and can ask the Lord for help to obey. Requesting help is not a sign of weakness, but of learning to rely on our true source of strength.
Psalm 119:33Teach me your decrees, O Lord; I will keep them to the end. 34 Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions; I will put them into practice with all my heart. 35 Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found. [2]
Where is the Lord calling you to step out in obedience? Perhaps you doubt that this could happen. Take heart! Trust the Lord, pray for strength and He will guide you into obedience and you will be blessed.
Click here to listen to more about Abraham’s obedience and blessings: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/faith-makes-a-difference-abraham
[1,2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.