It amazes me how quickly we pick and choose when we want to see God’s Word as Truth. I know we do this because so many of us, when we read the Word and hear something we don’t like, how often do we respond with, “Yes, but…” or “Well, I think…” And, we stop there. Partial obedience is full disobedience.
How much do we give God absolute and complete override power over our thoughts, desires, actions? God wants us to walk, do, react by faith not talk or “Amen” by faith. More often than not, seeing God fully manifest His Glory in answered prayer(s) is just on the other side of our obedience. A few days ago God told me to do something that I purposefully avoid. My first response to God outloud was, “Say what now?” God repeated what He told me to do. I said “Yes Lord” and did it. A year ago, when God told me to do stuff, it was a lot of back-and-forth with me and Him. I eventually obeyed but it took me days and weeks to do it. Like any other habit, the more you rehearse something, the easier it is to do it. Just on the other side of my obeying what God told me to do a few days ago, He showed up and out in a miraculous Way with His Glory and breakthrough in some areas I’ve been praying for.
God already knows what He plans to do. But we won’t see the full expression of God invade our circumstances until God sees faith in action. Just like with Peter, Martha, and the widow of Zarapheth, each initially paused when God (or His Prophet) told them what to do. But, they relinquished their way to His Way and saw God’s manifestation. Peter had a great catch of fish, Martha saw Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead, and the widow at Zarapheth saw God provide food and water for she and her son in the midst of a 3 year-drought (God’s judgment for the His People’s idolatry) and raise her son from the dead.
As we continue to draw near to You, Lord we surrender every part of ourselves to Your Lordship and Authority, for Your Glory, our good, and to the benefit of others.