Wanda Mann

Maybe I've been looking at this the wrong way. 

Is obedience simply something that is required?  Is it a chore?  How do I do it with joy... with absolute trust?

I've been asking these questions a lot lately.  I want to be obedient; in fact, I think that I am for the most part.  But, I want to find how to be 'peacefully' obedient.  I have come to realize that I can only do this by putting my full trust in the One that I am obeying.

I've been reading in Exodus and in just one sitting I read the following:

1. If I do what God asks... I will not have diseases of judgment put on me; (Exodus 15:26)
2. I will be a special treasure to God, given the status of a priest; (Exodus 19:5-6)
3. God's mercy will be shown to 1,000's of generations that come after me; (Exodus 20:6)
4. And I will live a long time in the land. (Exodus 20:12)

That's all in a 1/2 hour's worth of reading!  Here's what God has been trying to break through to my spirit:  Diligent obedience is my reward.  It literally places the blessing & favour of God on my life, my children's lives, their children and so on...

Aside from the incredible privilege of seeing that (yeah, yeah; I'm that old! :), I think that the next great reward of obedience comes in the form of 'peace'.  What a treasure (& relief) peace is; for when I am not struggling against God well, I am not struggling!

Take time to ponder this today.  Obedience to a gracious, kind and merciful God is His way of rewarding us.  What a good God we serve.