DAY 15

OBEDIENCE OVER OUTCOMES

JEN SMALE, PODCASTER & WORSHIP LEADER

We're not called to live by human reason. All that matters is obedience to God's Word and his leading in our lives. If God says go, we'll go. If he says stay, we'll stay. When we are in his will, we are in the safest place in the world. —Brother Yun

I don't know about you, but I’m the kind of person who prefers to know the outcome of something before I commit to it. I’m more comfortable when I know exactly what to expect. Honestly, sometimes knowing the outcome in advance will influence my “yes” or “no”. If I lack clarity on all possible outcomes, I’m hesitant to commit. I doubt I’m the only person who tends to function this way, because it’s more of a subconscious process whirling within the depths of my over-thinking mind than a deliberate behavior.

I can’t be the only one.

When someone invites us to an event, what’s our first question? “Who’s going to be there?”

When someone asks us to watch their pets while they’re on vacation, what’s our first question? “How long will you be gone?”

When someone hits us with the dubious, “Can I ask a favor of you?”, we often reply with trepidation and an unenthusiastic “Suuuure...”

Maybe I am the only one.

Honestly, I even do this with God. I feel a nudge in a particular direction, and my first response is to ask for clarity, then more clarity, then abundant clarity. I deliberate and pray, playing out
all sorts of scenarios in my head, all the while spiritualizing my hesitation. What I’m really asking God in those moments is, “What will happen if I [fill in the blank]? What will the outcome be?”

Now, there is wisdom in considering the reasons for and the possible outcomes of something before we commit to it. After all, doesn’t the Bible even instruct us to carefully consider, count the cost, and prepare a plan before we act? Hasty and rash decisions can lead to mistakes and regret. But, when it comes to spiritual matters, and living our lives in accordance with God’s will and good pleasure, there’s something that trumps all contemplation, deliberation and rationalization - obedience.

In John 14:21, Jesus said this: “Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.”

Obedience isn’t merely a sign of submission. It’s so much more! Obedience is the evidence that we truly love and trust God and that our lives are surrendered to His will.

In the book of Jeremiah, God gives the prophet, Jeremiah, strong and specific messages for His people. The nation of Israel, having split into two separate kingdoms after the reign of Solomon (1 Kings 12:16-24), the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah, had been living in severe rebellion toward
God for generations. Most of the kings, spiritual leaders and even the people had turned toward idolatry and the worship of false gods. They forgot the Lord their God, the mighty works he had performed among them, and the covenant he had made with them. God routinely sent prophets, Jeremiah being one of them, with messages of warning and correction in an effort to call His people to repentance. But by the time of Jeremiah, the people had continually refused to return to God, and so the message changed to one of impending judgment and eventual exile.

In Jeremiah chapter 7, God instructs Jeremiah once again to deliver a message to his people. Jeremiah 7:1-3 says, “The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: ‘Stand in the gate of the Lord's house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of the Lord, all you men of Judah who enter these gates to worship the Lord. Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Reform your ways and your actions, and I will let you live in this place.”

In the lines that follow between verses 4 and 26, God specifically outlines his grievances against His people, and again warns of His forthcoming wrath for their continual disobedience and unrepentant hearts. Then, He says this to Jeremiah in verse 27: “So you shall speak all these words to them, but they will not listen to you. You shall call to them, but they will not answer you.”

When I read this passage, I often wonder if it was challenging for Jeremiah to obey God’s direction knowing ahead of time that his efforts would be wasted on his audience. His obedience to God’s instruction regardless of the outcome is both convicting and inspiring. Jeremiah understood the truth that when God asks us to do something, we aren’t responsible for the outcome. We’re accountable for our own obedience. We see this dynamic play out over and over in the Word:

Abraham followed God’s order to take his beloved son Isaac up to Mt. Moriah to be sacrificed — Genesis 22 (If you don’t know that story, spoiler alert — God intervened and spared Isaac.)

Joshua obeyed God’s instructions to march the children of Israel around the walls of Jericho for 6 days in complete silence as part of their attack strategy — Joshua 6 (I’m no expert in battle strategies, but this seems like an odd one.)

Gideon followed God’s directions to reduce the size of his army prior to a battle — Judges 7 (Again, I’m no expert, but I would think you’d want to gather as many soldiers as possible before engaging in a fight.)

I could go on and on! There’s an abundance of stories in the Bible that point to the same challenge — do you trust God enough to obey His word, His directions, His leading, and His commands REGARDLESS of the outcome? The beautiful thing about God is that He’s given us promises to cling to so that our faith, trust and hope can be strengthened when we are facing situations with uncertain outcomes.

Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”

No matter how things appear in the moment, we have certainty that if we are living our lives to obey, please and honor God, He’s working everything out for our good. We might not see the fullness of that “good” on this side of heaven, but as believers, we’re not living for the things of this world. Our eyes are set on eternity.

Obedience over outcomes.

PRAYER

Father God, thank you for being a loving, gracious, and good father. Help me to believe, trust, follow and love You more. Give me the strength and courage to obey Your will in all seasons, regardless of the outcome. Let pleasing you be my utmost focus, priority and goal in this life. You alone are worthy. In the name of Jesus. Amen.