Friends,
We will not have a Link up party next Wednesday, July 25th. We will resume our linkup with Bethany on the first Wednesday in August (08/01). Please linkup with us below!
Patricia
When my youngest daughter was little, she would get very upset when I called her out for disobeying. I remember my then 4-year old toddler’s big hazel eyes would fill with the biggest tears, as she sincerely and somberly promised: “I am sawee, mommy. I won’t do it again!” I knew she meant it. But if you are a mom, you know what happened. Her promise did not last two days.
I remember how aggravated I was at the fact that I had to repeat myself one hundred times to my little children regarding what they should and shouldn’t do. I would get upset that they just didn’t seem to get it. I remember one particular instance, when I became so furious at their repeated disobedience, that I took my case to Almighty God: “Father – really! How long do I have to repeat myself to these kids? I want to be a good, patient, loving mom, but they will make me lose it one of these days! Help THEM, Lord!”
That’s when I felt that tug in my heart and knew the Holy Spirit was about to teach me a lesson through my kids (again). I looked up and there was the big mirror in my foyer.
“Look at the mirror! Are you any different?”
Ahem.
Nope. I am not any different.
Neither was Israel.
“Now the angel of the LORD came up from Gilgal to Bochim And He said, ” I brought you up out of Egypt and led you into the land which I have sworn to your fathers; and I said, ‘I will never break My covenant with you, and as for you, you shall make no covenant with the inhabitants of this land; you shall tear down their altars. But you have not obeyed Me; what is this you have done? “ Judges 2:1-3
God delivered Israel out of bondage through an amazing sequence of miracles: the plagues in Egypt, parting the Red Sea, providing manna in the desert, victorious wars against powerful enemies, the surprising fall of the walls of Jericho, just to name a few.
Yet, they continuously doubted, compromised and disobeyed.
Isn’t that our story as God’s people? Just like Israel, God has delivered us over and over again. He has been Jehovah Jireh, our Provider, Jehovah Rafa, our Healer, our Strong Tower in times of trouble. I am sure we can all look back and count the numerous times that He showed up and delivered us, time and again. And yet, when we are facing trials, many of us have a hard time acting on the belief that He will show up again. Our tendency is to take matters into our own hands, not realizing that, when we do so, we build altars to the gods of self-indulgence: our timing, our things, and our plans.
I can’t help but imagine God saying, just as he did to His people gathered in Bochim: “What is this you have done?”
Just as it was for Israel, the awesome covenant that God made with us requires only two things on our part: Love and Obedience. All our good works and church activities together cannot make up for not fulfilling our part in the Covenant He made with us:
“Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams.” 1 Samuel 15:22
[bctt tweet=”When God gives us an instruction, we are never to second-guess Him. When He says, “Give this up!” – we are not to ask why or rationalize whether or not His instructions make sense. ” username=”PatHolbrook”]
As children, we should say: “Yes, Lord.”
That’s what I so hope my children will eventually learn to do: simply obey. No excuses or questioning. Period.
Blind obedience is the place in our walk with God where the rubber meets the road. It’s where our faith surpasses our reasoning.
It’s the place where our worship songs are not just a feel-good moment – they become our hearts’ songs. It’s the place where my Bible is indeed the Living Word, and instead of complaining and taking matters into my own hands or trying to figure a way out of my trial, I write anchor Bible verses on post-it notes so I can remind myself of the God of the Covenant: My Maker, Savior, Deliverer, Provider, Strong Tower, Healer. My Daddy, Abba Father.
What are the trials that you are currently facing, my friend?
Are you so busy trying to get out of the place of your trial, that you will miss the blessings God has for you if you withstand the tribulation with Him? Do you realize that God may just be waiting for you to be still, to worship Him for who He is in spite of your circumstances and trust Him?
May we remember today that God’s part on His covenant will never change. He has eternal blessings, provision and protection for all His children. May we remember today that ultimately, all He requires from us is love and obedience. Period.
Abba Father,
I worship You today for who You are. I praise You because the Covenant You made with me in Christ Jesus will never change. I pray You forgive me for the times I try to take matters into my own hands and step out of Your will. I pray You will strengthen my faith and open my spiritual eyes, just as You did to Elisha’s servant, that I may see the chariots of fire lined up to fight my battles for me. I thank You for the strength that You give me when I reach out to You. I pray that You will teach me to be still and not move until you tell me to, even if it’s very uncomfortable. Guide me and teach me to obey You, that I may keep my part in the Covenant that You made with me.
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[bctt tweet=”LINKUP PARTY! Blind obedience is the place in our walk with God where the rubber meets the road. It’s where our faith surpasses our reasoning. JOIN us & share your post.” username=”PatHolbrook”]
God is an on time God.
I have been in Spirital, Emotional, Mental and Physical turmoil fo a long time.
I think “Conviction” is destroying my very being.
I am sick and tired of living this way.
Fear and shame want to take me out.
God has given me a beautiful Husband, we are raising my 4 of my neice and nephew-2boys and 2 girl:
6mos-16 y/o(g), 18mos-14y/o(b), 21mos-13y/o (g) and, 5mos- 11y/o(b).
I am becoming a terrible role model. I am my own worst enemy. I am afraid of writing. I earned a Master’s degree to help me better serve the people in my community. Although, the thought of dying has entered my mind does not mean that I desire to die. I hate that thought. I am severely depressed. I know there is a way out. I am just to weak to fight.
This article has given me hope. I am going to print and laminate it, so that, Iwill keep it on my person @ all times.
This Heavenly article will fight my battle.
Pray for me.
Thank you for writing this article for me.
In the Matchless and Mighty name of Jesus Christ.
Amen!!
❤➕
Praying for you. Nothing is too difficult for God. As you are convicted may you be still in his presence until you receive his peace which will give you the courage you need for each of your situations.
Hi, Debra!
Thank you for your kind words and for sharing your heart and struggles. I have prayed for you this morning, and know several of my readers are doing the same. God will strengthen you and guide you as you make decisions for your life and family. Would you please send me an email with your address? I want to send you a copy of my book Twelve Inches. I believe it will help you navigate these trials in faith.
In His wonderful love,
Patricia
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand. – Isaiah 41:10
Trusting in our loving God, and submitting to His will, sometimes again and again and again, as I strive to be obedient to Him
Beautiful article, Patricia. Blessings!
Thank you, Martha! Blessings to you!
Thank you so much for reminding me. I definitely needed this.
I am grateful that it spoke to you, Dianne. Have a blessed week!
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way, but blind faith isn’t natural. It’s developed.
You nailed it, Jennifer. It is built step by step, as we trust God.
Blessings,
It’s always challenging for me to take the next step when I can’t see the outcome. Thanks for words to motivate and encourage–and to direct my confidence to where it belongs, in Christ.
Amen, Michele! Thanks for participating, sister!
This is so timely for me, Patricia. Thank you for this blessing of truth in love!
I am so glad this was a timely message to you, my friend. God is awesome, isn’t He?
Love,
Amen, Patricia. Repeat disobedience is our story as God’s children too. Love this…”It’s the place where our worship songs are not just a feel-good moment – they become our hearts’ songs. It’s the place where my Bible is indeed the Living Word….” I want to learn God’s lessons in His classroom of daily life so I’m not repeating the same class again. 🙂
Yes, Karen, me too! Blessings to you!
“Are you so busy trying to get out of the place of your trial, that you will miss the blessings God has for you if you withstand the tribulation with Him? Do you realize that God may just be waiting for you to be still, to worship Him for who He is in spite of your circumstances and trust Him?”
Apparently, this is what God wants me to learn today. I was just on another blog and very similar thoughts stood out to me.
It’s not by chance that God is repeating this message to you, Calleen. Isn’t it crazy how the God of the Universe can be so personal? It blows my mind!
Thank you for visiting my blog! Hope to see you here again soon!
AWESOME, AWESOME Message Patricia.
Thank you so much, Walt! Great to “see” you around here again. Blessings,