The subject of our story is headed for trouble. Let’s look and apply his life lessons to our lives.
Life Lesson #6 – Obedience to God’s Word and moral standard includes the ordinary, routine activities of life.
So he [the man of God] went another way and did not return by the way he came to Bethel. Then he [the old prophet] said to his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me.” So they saddled the donkey for him; and he rode on it, and went after the man of God, and found him sitting under an oak. So he went back with him, and ate bread in his house, and drank water. After he had eaten bread and after he had drunk, that he saddled the donkey for him, the prophet whom he had brought back.
As you’ve noticed throughout the story, the man of God made different decisions along his journey. He walked when determined. Stood when giving his message. Sat when tired or when eating.
Psalm 1:1-2 outlines an interesting downward progression of spiritual erosion. “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.” Notice the walking, standing, and sitting.
Walking, Standing, Sitting
To me, walking implies an intentional effort and a desired destination. In our story of 1 Kings 13, the man of God walked in obedience to God’s ordained purpose. Standing implies a stopping of walking. Spiritual standing, instead of walking, happens when we hesitate, doubt, or stumble along our journey. Something happens to make us stop walking. Then sitting is a sign of resignation. There’s no forward mobility or even the resolution to stand. Sitting is the final step of disobedience.
Abraham’s nephew, Lot, is a great example of this spiritual deterioration. In reading his story in Genesis chapters 13-14 and 18-19, we notice his slow, subtle move toward Sodom, then finally into the city itself.
He first moved toward the luscious Jordan plain. Then he moved to the outskirts of Sodom. As time passed, the appeal of city life got the better of him, and he eventually moved inside the city. Finally, we find Lot sitting in a position of authority at the city’s gate.
Notice the negative progression: walking, standing, sitting. Like the apostle Peter who sat down to warm his hands by the world’s fire (Luke 22:55), Lot’s spiritual testimony and resolve for Christ faltered. Adding this to our life lessons, this is why we must guard our hearts with all diligence (Proverbs 4:23) to protect against unassigned people, false messengers, and distracting opportunities. We don’t have to listen to everyone or leverage every “opportunity.” Just ask Eve. Listening to the serpent in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3) introduced sin into the world.
Obedience in the Daily Routine
Obedience to God, His Word, and His Holy Spirit happens in the daily, routines of life. It’s not just a Sunday morning thing, or during special occasions, or even during personal quiet time with God. Anyone can “put on airs” during specific or periodic occasions. Obedience to God is a mindset, a lifestyle, a heart disposition that passionately desires to walk according to God’s moral standards in every situation of life, every day, with everyone. Keep in mind another great life lesson: partial or delayed obedience is still disobedience.
Obedience to God’s Word involves the rejection of everything contrary to it. It’s not simply a change of behavior or the resolution to do better. It is an all-out transformation that comes through self-denial and wholehearted surrender to the Holy Spirit.
May God give us the resolve to “be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58). Oh, may we steadfastly resist all evil influences (1 Peter 5:9). And may we develop strength for the daily routines of our journey, fully trusting Jesus, our “anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast” (Hebrews 6:19).
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Nate Stevens.
Featured Image by Scottish Guy from Pixabay
SURRENDERED
YIELDING TO GOD’S PERFECT WILL
by NATE STEVENS
NEW RELEASE – NOW AVAILABLE!
CHRIST IN ME 30-DAY DEVOTIONAL SERIES
By NATE STEVENS
CLICK ON EACH BOOK TO LEARN MORE, DOWNLOAD A SAMPLE, OR BUY.
