During the first few days of this prayer plan, our main focus has been to (re-)learn how to experience intimacy with God by listening to Him and receiving from Him, particularly through His Word and through His Spirit. However, listening to what God has to say is of no value, if we are not ready and willing to put it into practice. Therefore today, we will talk about obedience. 

To obey simply means hearing the word of God and acting on it. Many believers have become ritualistic about their faith, perhaps assuming one can please God by doing what they think God will like. 1 Samuel 15:22-23 says: “But Samuel replied: “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He has rejected you as king.””

Though God loves our sacrificial offerings, and even gave His Son as a sacrifice for our sins on the cross, He is not after these offerings, but after our hearts. He desires a heart that loves Him to the point of sacrificing its own will, not mere possessions. Obedience to God is exactly that: laying our opinion, expectations and desires on the altar and trusting God’s instruction fully, out of utmost love and trust. As a wise man rightly said ‘God’s love language is obedience’.

““Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”” -Matthew 22:36-40

As you persevere in the meditation of the Word of God and in dependence on the Holy Spirit, God will speak to you and show you His perfect plan for your life. As He promised, He will instruct you on the way to go (Psalm 32:8), and provide you with the strength necessary for the journey ahead. He will never leave nor forsake you, but the question is: are you ready to walk in obedience? How genuine is your love for Jesus?

“If you [really] love Me, you will keep and obey My commandments.” -John 14:15 AMP

Prayer points for today

• Ask God to forgive you for any act of disobedience knowingly or unknowingly.
• Pray for the spirit of discernment; to know what God requires of you at a particular time and season.
• Ask God to help you not to take advantage of His grace and mercies.
• Pray that God would help you not to be too familiar with Him, leading you to not value His counsel and become disobedient.