When I was first called to pastor a church, my family and I were, frankly, broke! I had just finished Bible college and my wife had been homeschooling our young daughters. The church was in a popular area, and house prices were at a premium. We needed a home, but they were all so very expensive. We really liked one place, but had no money for a deposit or to offer for rent. The real estate agent asked us if we wanted it.
I took my wife aside and said, “What do we do? We have no money for this.” Her wise words humbled me: “This was not our idea; we never asked to be here or even to pastor a church. It was God’s idea, so it’s His job. We just obey.” So we simply said “yes” to the agent and walked away. All the money came in over the next few days.
Elijah heard from God and was bold enough to walk up to a king and tell him some hard news—the land was about to experience a 3 1/2-year drought (1 Kings 17:1). Then, following God’s instruction, he went and waited at a brook. God provided food in a miraculous way! “The ravens brought him bread and meat each morning and evening” (1 Kings 17:6). After the water dried up, God sent Elijah to Zarephath. In that village, God performed another amazing act of provision. This time, the food didn’t come by way of birds, but by a simple request made by the prophet to a widow (1 Kings 17:13). She obeyed and God did the rest (1 Kings 17:14-15).
The pattern here is very simple. It’s our job to follow as God leads, and then obey the things He asks us to do (1 Kings 17:1-4). As we follow Him, He will provide not what we necessarily want, but what we truly need—sometimes in amazing ways.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Jude 1:17-25
More:
Read Matthew 14:13-21 and consider what Jesus asked His disciples to do and how they responded.
Next:
What next step is God asking you to take? How does obedience reflect your love for God and trust in Him?
Gary Shultz on December 28, 2016 at 6:49 am
Hi Russell: I’m so thankful you and your wife were good listeners. We, at least me, seem to often be staggered back by blocks in the road. Is it not a great thing that at these times God gives us encouragement. Yours came in the foresight of your wife, completing the passage that two working together bring a better reward than one. I don’t know how many times a move was called for since that first home, but you have listen and obeyed. I can’t always say life will require a move; however, I do believe it will require listening, and to obey to what has been spoken, requires faith. Faith is found in the relationship and it’s strength. An obedient life is a display of a working out of that faith, as James couples faith and works. So we may not all geographically move, but we are all called to move to a greater level of our faith and the obeying of it. So, yeah, “God’s Job and Ours” Thanks Russell, A promising New Year to you.
Monica Brands on December 28, 2016 at 8:33 am
Thanks for these insights, Gary. It calls to mind the story of Abraham, doesn’t it? Faith in God’s promises also required he and Sarah to follow. I’m thankful for Russell’s encouraging example!
godlove on December 28, 2016 at 7:21 am
Thank you for sharing this amazing personal testimony on the power of obedience, Russell. You took a leap of faith, or rather a “leap of obedience” and God saw you through in ways only He knows how to do. Like Elijah, like the widow and like Jesus’ disciples, obeying God led you and your family to experience the divine provision of God our Provider. I think it requires a certain measure of faith, to go ahead and obey when the future looks uncertain thereafter. To love God means to trust in Him and vice-versa. When we trust God and rely totally on His provision, always putting Him in control of every situation in our lives, we can be confident that He will always provide even in times of drought (both literally and figuratively). When I look back at situations in my life where I went to God asking for guidance, and followed the direction in which He was leading me, I realise how each time everything always turns out just so perfectly for me. However, it’s important to be careful as well not to confuse between God’s instructions and our personal wishes. Blessings to all in this end of year, with love.
Monica Brands on December 28, 2016 at 8:36 am
Thanks godlove–“it’s important as well not to confuse God’s instructions and our personal wishes”–that’s the rub, isn’t it? 🙂 It can be difficult to tell, however, through time in prayer and Scripture and God speaking into our hearts and desires, I believe we can sense a leading that, while in tune and wise about the desires and gifts God has given us, is open to a higher call.
gagirllive on December 28, 2016 at 9:03 am
Amen, Russell. God is our Provider…and His provision will always come in His timing and in His way. We just need to trust and obey. I like how Pastor Charles Stanley says it—“Obey God and leave the consequences to Him.” Grace and peace today, fellow travelers!