JOG!

God puts a lot of emphasis in the Bible on obedience.

I Samuel 15:21 “And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.”

If one’s dreams, goals, desires, or aspirations in life are not being fulfilled or life has not happened how one has thought, maybe it could be because of a lack of obedience to God. While reading various stories in the Bible, it has occurred to me that people received great things in life when they obeyed God – even to the point of a willingness to give their life. Daniel 3:30 tells that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were promoted in their position in Babylon after they were thrown into the fiery furnace.

Daniel 3:30 “Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon.”

As I was pondering obedience to God, He gave me a funny acronym to help us remember to obey Him – JOG. “Just Obey God” JOG through life. When in doubt as to what to do – JOG.

If one has children, whether they are still home or grown and one has grand-children, what is the most important thing usually stressed in every home? Obedience! If children just obey Mom and Dad, the whole household is so happy.

Let’s apply this to our relationship with God. Let’s look at some Bible examples to help encourage us to JOG (Just Obey God).

1.     David went to take his brothers food while their army sat in array against the Philistines. He was just being obedient is something small – taking food to his brothers. He was JOGGING. He had no idea that during his journey, God would use him to defeat the mighty Goliath. What if he hadn’t obeyed his earthy Father and never went to take food to his brothers? I Samuel 17:1-58

I Samuel 17:20 “And David rose up early in the morning, and left the sheep with a keeper, and took, and went, as Jesse had commanded him…”

I Samuel 17:50 “So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.”

2.     Daniel was obedient in prayer to his God even when it was against the law. He still opened his window, as usual, and prayed. He was JOGGING. Little did he know, God would deliver him from the lions and King Darius would make a decree that all the kingdom would worship Daniel’s God and Daniel would prosper in the kingdom. What if Daniel had cowered to man’s law and didn’t pray? Daniel 6:1-28

Daniel 6:26-28 “I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end…So this Daniel prospered…”

3.     There was a widow lady whose husband had died and left her with a debt. Her sons were going to be taken away to pay the debt. She woke up one day with this huge problem weighing her down with worry. Elisha shows up and tells her to collect pots and fill them with the one pot of oil she owned. She obeys immediately and exactly as she is told. She didn’t ask “Why?” She didn’t question the man of God. She just obeyed God. She JOGGED. She borrowed as many pots as she could. She didn’t borrow just 1or 2. Little did she know at the beginning of the day that she would be able to pay her debt off by the end of the day and still be able to care for herself and her sons. In her human mind, I’m sure this command by Elisha didn’t make sense, but she obeyed anyway. What if she hadn’t?

II Kings 4:7 “Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest.”

These are just a few examples of people just obeying God (JOGGING) and getting results they truly did not expect. They woke up one day with a dilemma but they had great faith in our Lord. When given the option to disobey God – they did not!. They JOGGED. Throughout the Bible, there are examples of people being obedient and people being disobedient. God also tells of the results of Him rewarding or punishing people as result of their obedience or disobedience. So, please head this advice and just obey God (JOG) in life. Even if it is a life or death situation – JOG! Just Obey God.

Below is a favorite childhood song that came to my mind while working on this post. I thought it very appropriate and got permission to reprint it here in my blog. I hope you enjoy the words.

Obedience 

Obedience is the very best way to show that you believe
Doing exactly as the Lord commands, doing it happily
Action is the key, do it immediately, joy you will receive
Obedience is the very best way to show that you believe
O-B-E-D-I-E-N-C-E
Obedience is the very best way to show that you believe

We want to live pure, we want to live clean, we want to do our best
Sweetly submitting to authority, leaving to God the rest
Walking in the light, keeping our attitude right, on the narrow way
For if we believe the Word we receive, we always will obey
O-B-E-D-I-E-N-C-E
Obedience is the very best way to show that you believe

Obedience by Mike & Ruth Greene, and Frank Garlock. Copyright (c) 1981 by Majesty Music, Inc. in Sing Along with Patch the Pirate.  All rights reserved; used with permission.

Think back to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. What fiery furnace does God have you in or is getting ready to toss you in to see if you will obey? Only God knows the rewards if one obeys him through the fire. Get ready  –  JOG!