Joyful Obedience

“The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.” Psalm 19:8 (NIV)

There is nothing that makes the heart of a parent more glad than to hear a child respond to instruction with “Yes, Daddy…okay, Daddy.” Joyful obedience, as opposed to reluctant obedience, is a mark of a Spirit- filled disciple. (See Psalm 40:7-8.)

You see, parents have ways of bringing about (forced) obedience in the conduct of their children, but it is so much more rewarding when they CHOOSE to obey willingly. You grow in your faith in Jesus by both hearing AND obeying His Word. (See James 1:22-25.)

Obedience is a mark of true discipleship. Jesus said, in I John 8:31b: “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed.” It is also a condition for understanding God’s truth. Read John 7:16-17.

You are a child of the loving, heavenly Father, who loves to give good gifts and rewards to those who follow Him in JOYFUL OBEDIENCE. Encourage each other to say “no” to the world when it makes an offer. There is reward for JOYFUL OBEDIENCE to God!

PRAY: “Yes, yes, yes, Father, I will to do Your will today and, in so doing, I expect to understand more of Your Truth, as Your Word promises. In Jesus’ Name, forgive my failures to live up to Your standard of holiness. Amen.”