Yes, Lord

“Do all that you have in mind,” his armor-bearer said. “Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.” 1 Samuel 14:7 NIV

o·bey [oh-bey]
–verb (used with object)
1.to comply with or follow the commands, restrictions, wishes, or instructions of

Obey. It’s a simple word. But doing it is anything but simple. It is a verb – an action word. This word should call us to action. But many times it doesn’t. The Lord is really speaking to me about obeying. I get it everywhere. I hear His words echoing to me from my own words to my children. “I need you to obey me the first time I ask.” I hear Him in the words from a childhood song “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.” The melody appears in my head from nowhere.

I read it in my daily Bible readings. Today my cannon blast of OBEY came from the Bible. I am reading about Saul and his son Jonathan. Jonathan decides to sneak away with his armor bearer and try to defeat the Philistines. He realizes that his father Saul isn’t exactly following God’s commands. Jonathan assures his armor bearer that with God they can do anything. His companion’s reply pierces my heart. “Do all that you have in mind,” his armor-bearer said. “Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.”

Oh, that I would be so sure of our Lord. I knew as soon as I read the words that they should be my words to God. Whatever it is you want to do, Lord. Do it. I am with you and will follow. I kept reading and got cannon blast number 2.

“Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD ? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.” 1 Samuel 15:22 NIV

Now, I’ve just recently read Leviticus, and I know how important the sacrifices are to God. But obedience is even more important. This is BIG, y’all. We have to obey God. When He calls to us and impresses His will on our hearts, we need to listen and obey. I have learned first hand how much He blesses when I obey. Usually when God speaks to me like this, He is preparing me for something.

My heart is anxious today as I wonder, what next Lord? What will you call me to do next? But mostly I ask myself, am I ready? Will I obey when He calls me next? He is probably wondering the same thing and is working to be a little proactive.

Lord, I want to be obedient in all you call me to do. Help me listen to your voice and follow. Let the words of Jonathan’s armor bearer be my words to you. “Do all that you have in mind. Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.” Lord, help my “YES” to be ready when you call. Yes, Lord. Yes, Lord. I will follow. Amen