Obeying Regardless of What is Commanded

Whether it is pleasing or displeasing, we will obey the voice of the Lord our God to whom we send you, that it may be well with us when we obey the voice of the Lord our God. Jeremiah 42:6

It is very easy to obey someone in authority when it is something that the person agrees with or enjoys. On the other hand, it is very difficult to obey an authority when it goes against a person’s desires and likes. People are quick to obey a command they like but are just as quick to obey a command they don’t agree with.

Some of the Israelites who were in captivity in Babylon came to Jeremiah with a request. They wanted to know what God commanded for them to do so that it would go well with them. They said that they would obey whether it was pleasing or displeasing to them all the commands of God.

No matter where a person lives there are commands from those in authority for one to obey. This begins in the home and goes all the way up to national commands of the nation. While people are quick to obey most of those commands, there are always some commands that are displeasing and difficult to obey.

This is the same way for the believer in obeying the commands of God. Some of those commands are very easy to obey, while others are very difficult and displeasing.

It is easy to pray for healing and blessings for loved ones. It is often displeasing to pray for healing and blessings for those who are one’s enemies. In the same way, it is easy to forgive someone you love who did a minor infraction, but very difficult to forgive an enemy.

Believers need to be willing to obey every command of God, no matter whether it is pleasing or displeasing to do.

God has some commands that are general for all believers for you to obey. There will also be some commands that are specific to you only to obey. As with the laws of the land, some of God’s commands will be pleasing and some will be displeasing. You have to make a choice in your heart and mind to obey all of the commands of God whether you like and agree with them or not. All His commands are for your best interest.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will hear from God all the commands that He gives you; that you will obey all the commands of God with a cheerful heart; and that you will trust all the commands of God.

This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Insights from Tom

Featured Image by Hannah Busing on Unsplash

About the Author

Tom Arn is happily married for 30 years to his wonderful wife Cammie. They are blessed by God with eight wonderful children and one grandchild. Tom has worked as a children’s pastor, senior pastor, and many times (and currently) as a Sunday School Teacher. He has a General Ministries degree with a Bible College. He started doing a short devotional type Bible study on Facebook in 2014, going through the books of the Bible chapter by chapter, section by section. Tom writes what he feels God is placing on his heart.

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