Today I was pondering a quote by Oswald Chambers that I have dog-eared from October 10 in his book My Utmost for His Highest. It is one that I go back to time and time again. I wonder if it will resonate with you.
All of God’s revealed truths are sealed until they are opened to us through obedience. You will never open them through philosophy or thinking. But once you obey, a flash of light comes immediately…If you obey God in the first thing He shows you, then He instantly opens up the next truth to you. You could read volumes on the work of the Holy Spirit, when five minutes of total, uncompromising obedience would make things as clear as sunlight. Don’t say, “I suppose I will understand these things someday!” You can understand them now. And it is not study that brings understanding to you, but obedience. Even the smallest bit of obedience opens heaven, and the deepest truths of God immediately become yours. God will never reveal more truth about Himself to you, until you have obeyed what you know already.
It’s those last two sentences that make me pause and ponder. “Even the smallest bit of obedience opens heaven, and the deepest truths of God immediately become yours. Yet God will never reveal more truth about Himself to you, until you have obeyed what you know already.”
If I ever feel like I’m not hearing from God, my first question should be whether or not there is something He has ALREADY told me that I haven’t done? Is He waiting for me to obey step one before He tells me step two?
Is there someone He’s told me to forgive? But I haven’t.
Is there someone He’s told me to encourage? But I haven’t.
Is there someone He’s told to bless financially? But I haven’t.
Is there something loving He’s told me to say to my husband? But I haven’t.
Is there something caring He’s told me to do for my neighbor? But I haven’t.
Is there something that requires stretching beyond what I’m comfortable that He’s told me to do in ministry? But I haven’t.
Is there a habit He’s told me to quit? But I haven’t.
Is there speech He’s told me to change (such as gossiping, complaining, nagging)? But I haven’t
Is there an unhealthy or ungodly relationship that He’s told me to turn away from? But I haven’t.
One of the most important facets of the Christian life is obedience, and most people don’t even like the word. But what I’ve learned is this: obedience is not what God wants from you, it is what God wants for you. That, sweet friend, is where the abundant life filled with moments of sudden glory is found.
So if you are waiting for a word from God, ask yourself if there is something He’s already asked you to do and do it.
Even the smallest bit of obedience opens heaven, and the deepest truths of God immediately become yours.
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Comments 21
Wonderful indeed .You made my day. May God help me to be focused on such scripts….
I love Oswald Chambers, Utmost Highest, is my favorite, it is so true the ways the Lord speaks to us through obedience, actually since I have been practicing this, its awesome!
Yes! I agree with this message that OBEDIENCE is what God desired for us.
Sharon thank you so much for sharing these words for really knowing God’s truth for our life! If only I could say ” obedience, that’s it? Oh that’s no problem I can do that”. Thanks for sharing the reality that obeying in the small things still counts. Its the starting place of so much more that God wants to reveal to me. I’ll continue praying for my obedience in all things and also for your continued strength for encouraging others.
Kind regards
Sherry Hoppe
Yes, it did minister to me. Obedience its the word God is giving me for the last months. And with pain I have to admit that I have not been obedient 100% like I want to be. Its like the Apostle Paul’s word “For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do.” Romans 7:15. :-/
Sharon this is wonderful making a copy for my pastor so goes with what he has been preaching…
You are so gifted in writing! Thank you so much for what you do! May God bless you as you so bless others!
Such a great truth. Thanks for reminding us. Thanks for all the work you do to help us along this bumpy road and to the smooth road that only God can provide! God Bless you today!
I really need this. Thank you so much for sharing it. I have been so blessed by you and GIG!!!
Enjoyed the devotion this morning, especially the quote from Oswald Chambers. I’ve found it very true in my own life. I remember surrendering something to the Lord after he told me, “Others may, but you may not…” As soon as I did what he asked of me, joy and peace filled my heart. I never forgot the lesson.
Thank you!I am going to take this with me to bible study tonight.
Yes, your message today spoke loud and clear to me today. I had been in a relationship for the past three years that I questioned and even wrote on your blog about, knowing and feeling in the pit of my stomach that it wasn’t a relationship from God although I wanted to believe that because of the special connection we had that maybe something different was going to come out of us reconnecting after 6-7 years. What I did learn is that there are definitely some people that you are meant to love and only love at a distance…lol
My lack of obedience during that time I started to see my life change in ways that I had thought I had come out of and wouldn’t go back into – debt, feeling insecure, and doubting myself on multple levels. Getting out of my own way is where I am at this present time and I’m learning how to be “obedient” again….thank you Jesus!!!
Author
So proud of you for being obedient again!
You won’t regret it.
I read your post and thought wow that is my life right now. I have been in a relationship for the last 15 years of my life and have always had a feeling in my gut that it wasn’t meant to be more than a friendship. Don’t know why I have stayed so long. I love this man but don’t think I’m in love with him. I left him last year but continue to go back to him. I think I’m afraid that I will lose His friendship forever and that keeps me going back.
I prayed for guidance and asked Jesus for a partner in life that I could grow with and be happy with. He put a new man in my path and he is everything I had asked for and more. My family doesn’t like him and I keep pushing him away. I have moved back in with my ex and am very unhappy with how things are working out.
Your post has opened my eyes to what my problem is. Thank you for your help and may Jesus bless you.
I’m really having some trouble with this. I agree, yet, we all have some habit we are working to overcome. Does this mean we are spiritually stunted until we do? I’ve struggled with food all my life and tried over and over to overcome it. I don’t think it is willful disobedience. I want to overcome it, but I’m stuck. Does this mean I’m spiritually stunted and cannot grow in His word the rest of my mortal days because of this?
Really confirms what the Lord had been showing me. Our obedience NOW is so important. Not tomorrow. Now.
Boy did I need this reminder…I often wonder why prayers and petitions have not been answered…and you have reminded me of why? Thank you Sharon for the wake up call!!
Thank you again for the reminder. I know I probably have some issues that need dealing with, maybe some forgiveness that needs to happen. Possibly some people I could encourage, that God has left on my heart for awhile. I do sometimes feel stuck, like I read His Word, and it’s not really telling me anything new.
Father, forgive me for not obeying everything you have told me. Lord please lead me to how you want me to deal with things that are on my heart, and draw me close to you again. I need you Lord, I want to grow in you. Help me learn true obedience.
Sharon…
Thank you so much for this post… I actually read this devotion in the “Girlfriends in God” post for today, March 30. And it was absolutely from GOD!
I wasn’t going to open it, and I’m so glad I did! You have to hear this, because I think you’ll get a kick out of it… and I’ll preface the story with the fact that God has blessed us both with dreams, and interpretations. I’m a pastor’s wife… and we’ve been struggling in our ministry. God has been changing and rearranging everything in our lives for the last couple years… {way too much for here}. He’s had us in a holding pattern for all this time {during which our grandson went Home to Jesus and tons more}… anyways… all that to say, I’m exhausted. Prayer life stinks. I’m never happy…. I BEG God for the “Joy of the Lord,” and so on and so on.
So… My husband wakes up to take the dog out at 5 as usual. He’s huffing and puffing and I’m thinking he’s out of breath. Soon he comes back, sees I’m awake, and proceeds to tell me how mad he was at me when he woke up! He had a dream, and said it was so real that when he woke up he thought he was putting his boots on for what was taking place in the dream.
In the dream he was upset with me because I wouldn’t “listen.” He was warning me about a snake… and he kept saying I “wouldn’t listen” (with great husbandly emphasis!).
I took it semi seriously… but defensively. “Well, It was YOUR dream… maybe God is warning YOU about something.” (Lol)
He settles into his writing (sermons) and I grab my phone and coffee. I decide to go ahead and open the devotion (yours) and the first word is “Listen!”
“Seriously God?”
I am not sure what it is yet… I’m sure He’ll let me know… But thank you for the devotion… I’m sure that when you wrote it God was thinking about this morning and how good He was going to “get me!” (and I’m sure with a little giggle behind it too!)
Thanks again and God bless you for your ministry!
Debi
Author
That is so like God! He has a way of making a point, doesn’t He! When I hear something in triplet, I know He’s trying to get my attention!!!
“Even the smallest bit of obedience opens heaven, and the deepest truths of God immediately become yours.” Love this too! I love it because no matter how long the list of things God is waiting for us to obey, His hand immediately opens with our first small step.