Obedience is the very best way

I mentioned before that I wanted to start to do an "outline" type of Bible study discipline. I have decided that each Sunday I will share something from my weekly reading. Hopefully it will serve as both a blessing to my readers and an accountability tool for me! I can't post anything if I haven't read and thought about anything, can I? Today's post is relatively short, but things don't have to be long and wordy to be meaningful!

This morning's passage puts me in mind of a song we used to sing at church when we were kids. It said, "Obedience is the very best way to show that you believe." It's a simple statement with a powerful message. Obey because you believe.

John 5:10-11
Therefore the Jews were saying to him who was cured, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not permissible for you to carry your pallet.”
But he answered them, “He who made me well was the one who said to me, 'Take up your pallet and walk.'”

The words of the healed man really struck me this morning. He obeyed the word of Him who made him well. It was that simple to him. The passage reveals that he didn't even know who Jesus was. All he knew was the healing he received. Whether his obedience was out of reverence and respect for the Healer or out of gratitude or simply because he did what he was told isn't revealed. We really don't know much more than the fact that he obeyed.

God has done great things for me. His blessings are innumerable and His mercy never fails. He has rescued me from His own wrath and called me His child. He has healed me and made me whole. Like the lame man Jesus healed, I must obey. He has done so much for me, it is the least I can do for Him.

Father, it is easy to just do what I want to do, and disregard both what You have done for me and what You have told me to do. Give me a heart of gratitude. Teach me the joyful discipline of obedience to my Lord. Let me decrease that You may increase in my life, that the image of Your Son will be unmistakable in my life, serving as a witness to a world in darkness and an encouragement to the believers around me. Help me hide Your word in my heart so that I may not sin against You.