Key scripture – “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”(Hebrews 11:6).

Have you ever asked yourself, “Why should I obey God and not do something that He has said is wrong, even if I do not think it is that bad?

Instead of asking yourself, “Why should I obey?” You need to ask, “Why would I disobey?”

Obedience to God needs to be your default mode, like auto pilot, like it was for Noah and Abraham. They believed in God and did what He said.

Noah had the task of building a huge ark, one that his family of eight could occupy for several months along with animals of all types and species. It took Noah 120 years to complete this massive building project. Think of the excuses that Noah could have used to argue with God: “It will cost too much.” “That is not feasible.” “It will take too long.” “I am not even close to any water.” “I have never seen or heard of that much rain.” “Everyone thinks I am crazy and is making fun of me for building this ark.”

But Noah trusted in God. So he gave himself fully to his work, showing a heart of faith and obedience. “By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith.” (Hebrews 11:7). Noah showed us that faith believes and obeys God and His Word even if what God has asked you to do does not make sense to you.

Abraham was about 75 when God called him. While people lived longer at that time than we do today, he still wasn’t a young man. But when God said He needed to follow His instructions and experience a major life change, he left his familiar surroundings and ventured into an unknown place with his family. “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8).

Questions such as these likely filled his mind: “I wonder where we will end up? Will my wife, Sarai, be able to adapt to the new environment? Are the foreigners friendly? How long will it take us to get there?” Nonetheless, God had called and Abraham obeyed.

Noah and Abraham recognized that God is trustworthy, and like them, we can follow and obey Him with confidence.

Is your faith marked by obedience? If not, look at what James says, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.” (James 1:22-25).

Do you know that your faith will be deepened as you choose to follow God and His Word consistently?

“In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead… You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.” (James 2:17, 20-24).

What is God calling you to do today that will require trust and obedience? Don’t ignore Him and don’t just partially obey. If you delay in obeying Him, that is disobedience, or if you only partially obey, that is disobedience.

As God empowers you today and for the rest of your life, follow Him and His Word, and you will experience your own faith-building adventure!

Pray this – Our Precious Heavenly Father, forgive me for all the times I have not been obedient to Your Word. When You tells us in Your Word, “Not to do something.” You are saying, “Don’t hurt yourself.” I know that when I do not do what You want me to do, because of fear or doubt, then I am saying, “I don’t trust You.” Father, I want to replace all of my fear and doubts with faith and trust. I want to show You that I believe Your promises, not just by what I say but by my actions, because faith without works is dead. I want to do Your Will because Jesus told us, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” (Matthew 7:21-23). Father, I am Your child and I want to live in complete obedience to You and Your Word, show me how through the Holy Spirit to make obedience my way of life, always and in every situation. Give me the courage and strength to put feet to my faith. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.