Keith Green:  “To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8gWDR35R8M

John 15:14  (ESV)    “You are my friends if you do what I command you.” 

“Rest in this – it is His business to lead, command, impel, send, call or whatever you want to call it. It is your business to obey, follow, move, respond, or what have you.”     –Author:  Jim Elliot 

Dear Reader,                                                                                                                                                                                                  

Regarding service, isn’t it a big weight off your shoulders to know that all God asks of you is obedience? He is the one in control and the one who will get results.  All He asks of you is to obey His commandments.  He will take care of the rest.

Satan fears the willing servant who prays daily these two simple words: “Use me.”  In 2 Timothy 2:15, Paul encourages Timothy to present himself to God as one approved, as a worker who has no need to be ashamed.  Paul stresses the importance of rightly handling the Word of truth.  If we are obedient in properly handling the Word of God, He will do the rest.

A servant and slave must obey their master in ALL things, even if the request does not make sense.  It is not a matter of questioning the Lord of the house, it is a matter of following through on his instructions.

The Word of God tells us that if we are faithful over the little things entrusted in our care, He will increase our responsibility and service by placing us over much more.  God tested the faithfulness, obedience, and love of Abraham and Noah.   Why would he not test us in modern times?

If God is testing you through a personal struggle or injustice, be courageous and hold onto His promises. He is the defender of the weak and tells His children that He will fight for them; you dear one, need only to be still.  THAT is a commandment and THAT requires obedience.  He will fight the battle for you and achieve the results HE wants and requires. 

To remain still as the spiritual battle rages on around you will not be an easy command to keep, especially if you are a person of action.  To be still takes self-control and faith.  You are also commanded to pray without ceasing, so as you let God fight the battle before you pray for grace and mercy.  Pray that His will would be accomplished and that enemy attacks would be thwarted.  He and His angel armies will be shielding you and keeping you safe, tucked safely under the shadow of His wing.

As you obey His commands with a submissive heart, He will honor you with bigger struggles and tasks that will serve to glorify His holy name. 

Exodus 14:14 (NIV)   “The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” 

Matthew 20:26  (ESV)  “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’”

“Just as a servant knows that he must first obey his master in all things, so the surrender to an implicit and unquestionable obedience must become the essential characteristic of our lives.”        –   Author:  Andrew Murray

Obey – The Biblical word for “obey” comes from the Greek “hupakou” which means to listen attentively.  The meaning also implies heeding or conforming to a command or to an authority.  Basically, there is no choice in the matter.  It needs to be carried out whether one agrees with the order or not.