You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear him and keep his commandments and obey his voice, and you shall serve him and hold fast to him.
Deuteronomy 13:4
Have you ever confused human reasoning with obedience to God? Sometimes what seems reasonable might not necessarily be what God commands. We must be very careful when we decide to choose what makes sense over obeying the Word of God.
A wonderful example of this occurs in Genesis 22 when God instructs Abraham to do something that goes against human logic or reasoning. “He (God) said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.“” (Genesis 22:2) How would you respond? Would you substitute human reasoning with obedience?
Abraham responded with complete obedience. “When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood.” (Genesis 22:9)
Abraham knew the importance of obedience to God and he was rewarded or blessed. “Because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.” (Genesis 22:17-18)
Our test of faith and obedience may not be so extreme, but we will be tested in ways that strengthen our faith.
Will you tell the truth when it seems logical to lie in order to protect someone’s feelings?
Will you give to the poor although you feel they would not use your gift wisely?
Will you go out of your comfort zone to share Jesus with a complete stranger?
Will you obey even when it might not make sense?
Pray
Lord, I will obey your voice even when it doesn’t make sense. Give me wisdom and understanding. Help me to discern what you require of me.
