Fearlessly Courageous
Desk of Dennis Piller
5/24/2022
Obedience brings Blessings…Everytime!
“Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”
— Luke 11:28
The Lord's simplest requests, his teachings, and parables each carry a message of life. Each of them is a stepping stone to life's most dynamic and wonderful blessings. When we say yes to God we are in effect being obedient. In our society today that is not a popular word and I think that is one reason there are too few blessings for those who misunderstand it.
In luke 5:11 a large crowd pressed in on Jesus and He asked Peter to use his boat as a platform to speak to the crowd. He asked in vs 3 for him to push it out a bit, not a big request except when you realize by reading the entire story he had worked all night and gotten nothing for his efforts. He was surely tired and frustrated. You must know that feeling when you come home and someone is pulling on you or asking you to do something. Our response is not always so admirable. But Peter listened and obeyed. What you have to look closer to see is that small act paved the way to a life-changing moment, revealing that this small and simple act of obedience,
opened up a huge door of blessings.
Notice the first ones to receive a blessing from Peter's act of obedience were other people. The crowd would have struggled to hear Jesus. That is so often true in our lives. As we obey God's direction, whether it comes from being led by the Holy Spirit or reading God’s word and we discover what God is for and what he is against… others are watching and taking note. (Especially our children and those in close proximity.) What we stand for… matters. How we respect our superiors or people in authority really changes things. It fosters an appreciation and even praises those in authority but it broadcast to those watching, the right way to appreciate authority.
When Jesus was finished he said to Peter, “Put out into deep water and let down the nets for a catch". (5;4) Here is another chance to say yes or no! This time Peter pushed back a little bit, not so unlike what one of us might have done. After all, he was a professional fisherman and he had worked those waters all night to no avail and he said so. Now this young preacher, a carpenter, not a fisherman asks him to try again. Come on… really?
But Peter demonstrates the beginning of a lifetime of faith and obedience, although he didn’t know at the time that’s what it was. He said, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets” (5:5,) In effect, he chose to obey Jesus and leave the outcome of the results to him.
You know the story. As a result of Peter's obedience, Jesus revealed both his sovereignty and his power. Peter and his partners, his shipmates had ended their day with nothing. Their efforts and hard work yielded nothing, but Peter's simple act of obedience changed their lives forever and God only knows how many others. It resulted in a miracle that is still told to this day.
In the end that simple act of saying Yes to Jesus, ended in complete amazement and jubilation as they not only took in enough fish to fill one boat but two …to the level it was sinking the boats. Really? What do you think entering the gates of heaven will be like? What rewards do you imagine await us by living a life obedient to Christ? Eternity with Christ. Joy forevermore.
No more pain or suffering or crying? None!
But just suppose Peter has said, Look mate, we’re tired. I don’t know you. Ask another boat owner! Surely, not so unlikely today or even back then. BUT, if he had said anything but yes, he may have died a struggling fisherman and not Peter the Apostle of Christ.
Even today, I want you to see that God’s richest blessing can come from the simplest act of obedience. The seemingly insignificant things we do for others. You know those things followed by: I’m too tired, It's too hard. I don’t have time or my favorite; Let me pray about it first. (there is nothing wrong with praying first… but you know what I mean.)
Lastly, look at how many people were blessed by Peter’s simple act. The crowd. Peter's friends and partners not to mention all of their families… US! God’s call to obedience always demands our response.
I say YES to God when I open my eyes every morning. Yes Lord, whatever you ask of me today, my answer is yes. Use me, Lord. Empower me to be your ambassador. Give me the strength to say No to compromise. I receive your peace today lord as I offer my life to you fully and unabridged. Thank you, Lord for loving me and changing me. I choose to obey you.
God of all my days. Casting Crowns
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RocPcgqCDE0
