The sacrifice that honors me is a thankful heart. Obey me, and I, your God, will show my power to save (Psalm 50:23, CEV).
My Lighthouse in the Storm – photo by Eric E. Wright
Reflection
This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is salvation.
Here’s a rather uncomfortable truth about God. He wants us to obey Him. We want Him to save us from our troubles, but He in turn wants our obedience.
For the independent, I’ll-do-it-my-way crowd, this call for obedience is a real downer. Who wants to follow a Savior who requires obedience?
Jesus said to his disciples: If you love me, you will do as I command (John 14:15).
We prefer salvation without sacrifice. I want Jesus to save me, but I don’t want him telling me what to do. Ah, but this salvation he offers requires sacrifice. It cost Jesus his life. He went to the cross to purchase my salvation. That’s a steep price.
Our joy-filled gratitude and willing obedience are a fitting response.
Response: LORD God, I am thankful for the salvation you purchased for me through Jesus death. Help me today to hear your voice and be obedient to your commands. Amen.
Your Turn: Are the Lord’s commands difficult for you to obey?
I love the Psalms 
This is a powerful post, because it directly addresses what I find to be perhaps the most uncomfortable truth: obedience.
It cuts to the heart of the matter, and while we can lie to ourselves and each other, we can never lie to God.
Obedience requires honesty right 😛
so, I ashamedly admit I find His commands difficult to obey especially when I want to do my own things; and so I pray daily for His wisdom to permeate my life, for His continuous strength & guidance in leading me to be obedient to ALL His commands.
Thanks for a soul searching post.
God Bless you!
I agree. At times I too find obeying God is difficult. I think the difficulty is not in the command itself, but in my own stubborn will. I very much need a listening, willing and obedient heart.
That’s it exactly: Father I ask for a listening, willing and obedient heart in Jesus’ Name.
Amen.
Disobedience was the first sin against God. If man had followed God’s command, I wonder if man would’ve sinned in a different way. Praise God for providing a solution.
Disobedience to God comes quite naturally to the human soul. It takes God’s grace at work in us to change that.
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.