How to Be Obedient to God

Today’s devotional about obedience comes from: 1 Samuel 14:1-15

The Attack

Saul has been attacking the Philistines. Jonathan clearly felt led to attack the garrison of the Philistines. He didn’t tell his father – perhaps he knew Saul would not condone it. Either way, Jonathan takes his armor-bearer and heads to the garrison. He was unconcerned that there were only two of them going against an entire company of Philistines. The armor-bearer trusted Jonathan’s plan implicitly responding, “do all that is in your heart. Go then; I am here with you, according to your heart.” That’s devotion – and obedience!

The route they must take to arrive at the Philistines was between two sharp rock outcropping (v. 4). Jonathan declared that they should attack their enemy “for nothing restrains the LORD from saving by many or by few” (v. 6). So Jonathan and the armor-bearer continue. Jonathan says basically, “okay, if we show ourselves and they say ‘wait until we come out to fight’ then wait; if they say ‘come and get us’ then we go up. Either way, God will let us know what to do and know that God has delivered them to us.”

The Lesson

Jonathan believed he was doing what God wanted him to do. He was unconcerned that there were only two of them because he knew God does mighty things! Jonathan knew what to do and he did it. He went up this treacherous route and told the armor-bearer that he believed God would let them know what to do based on what the Philistines said to them. With utmost devotion, the armor-bearer followed Jonathan’s lead.

How many times do we feel led by God to do something? Just like Jonathan.

By all accounts he moved right away to be obedient.

The Question About Obedience

Yet so often I tarry. “Did I really hear God? Is this really what He wants me to do? Maybe I should wait for confirmation like Gideon (Judges 6:37-40). People will think I’m crazy. I’m just one woman. Someone else will go. I’ll wait until I have some friends to go with me and support me.”

But we learn from Jonathan that complete obedience was all that was required.

And then he let God know that he trusted him, regardless of how the Philistines responded.

And Jonathan and his armor-bearer were successful. Jonathan was obedient and God’s plan was accomplished.

How much more would be accomplished if I were obedient like Jonathan? If I didn’t worry about little me and the BIG enemy? If I kept my eyes on God instead of man?

The Obedience Resolution

So today I resolve to listen for God’s instructions and go where He tells me.

Maybe you’ll consider doing the same.

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With love,

🌸 Andrea

Resource:

*For more about obedience, consider reading A Life of Obedience by Andrew Murray. He writes very thought-provoking books that compel the reader to understand what God is desiring of us.

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