“And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.” (1st Sam. 15:22)
The greatest hindrance to obedience, no matter what form it arrives in, no matter who believes they are in authority over us, the reason, the purpose, the end result, the greatest, and perhaps the only reason for disobedience is pride.
A very close second, within a hair’s breadth, would be fear.
The most powerful being ever created by the Almighty, without question is Lucifer, now named Satan, and when he said, “I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.” (Isaiah 14:14) the Living God simply said, “No, you won’t.”
“Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.” (Psalm 2:11)
The recognition of the complete and total Sovereignty of the Almighty requires pride to die, not just the most difficult thing to do in this life, but an impossible thing to do, no matter how hard we try, no matter how much effort, no matter how fervently we pray, pride while you live in the flesh will always be a part of us. It is why Job had no fear when he said.
“But I will maintain mine own ways before him.”
Fear my friends, for many of us, being afraid of Him who loves us and will love His own throughout all eternity only truly arrives when the whirlwind begins to arrive. For those who are the righteousness of God in Christ, obedience will be had, one way or another.
The words “Thou shalt” have no meaning whatsoever to the unrepentant person, their own pride will not allow it, and in no disrespectful way towards the Living God, those invisible things, His eternal power and godhead, do not cause fear and trembling within them. When it finally does, it will be too late.
“And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” (Matt. 13:50)
To serve in obedience means the continual dying of pride, to serve in love means never being afraid.
You must trust that every step you take is being directed for His glory, your faith must rest assured in the promises, you must believe that everything that comes into your life is for good.
Understand this truth, God requires obedience from those who are His, the sacrifices we make are entirely left up to us.
The continual dying to self, our non-stop attempts to destroy pride in our lives is perhaps the greatest sacrifice that we can offer to Him who has called us to Himself. Only love for Him can offer that sacrifice, only true love can say in all honesty and without reservations, “Thy will be done.”
As you walk on the path that He has set before you in this life towards that strait gate, many, many times you will say, “I will maintain mine own ways before him.” Being a servant of the Most High solely out of love for Him is our service, serving Him because you are afraid of Him, because you fear what He may do to you, what He may bring into your life if you do not, is being subservient for selfish reasons.
Recognize that difference.
Can those who say they serve Him in love ever be afraid of Him?
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” (Jer. 29:11)
I mean this in no disrespect, we have all been there, but I believe there were two sides of Job speaking when he said, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.” (Job 13:15) He did not become subservient when the Lord appeared in that whirlwind, he realized there was still pride that needed to die in him.
Serve in love for His glory, never afraid of Him.
