Obey The Word And Succeed

DAILY VITAMIN
- Obey The Word And Succeed
"Despise God's Word and find yourself in trouble. Obey it and succeed." (Proverbs 13:13 TLB)
     In the days of Hosea, the Bible speaks of how everything was failing in Judah - the land, animals and plant alike. And then God scolded the priests for the lack of faithfulness, kindness and knowledge of God He had noticed all over the land. He said "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge....because they have rejected me, I have also rejected them.." (Hosea 4:6).
     But in the real sense, was there a deficit in the knowledge of God? No! Because the prophets never stopped speaking. Jeremiah called it a fire in his bones that he couldn't restrain (Jeremiah 20:9). So, what was truly wrong? A deficit in obedience to it.
     You see, in the sight of God, knowing and understanding Him is more than just about having an idea of God as many of them had; it's truly about obeying His will. It's how He knows you understand and love Him (John 14:15). And as long as this was missing Judah remained in ruins. Scripture says that Rehoboam "survived for three years without difficulty; for during these years there was an earnest effort to obey the Lord..." (2 Chro 11:17 TLB). It also said that this strengthened the kingdom of Judah. Thus, as long as they were obeying, they were progressing.
       Some people assume that maturity as a Christian is based on how often you attend church alone and how long you can pray. But they are wrong; because the priests in Hosea's day did that, and yet God was disappointed. It is actually based on how well you can interpret the truth of the Word of God through your actions. And obedience is the only way to commence its proper interpretation.
      Our theme verse says that if you despise the Word, you would fail, but if you obey it you will succeed. It's exactly what we have seen all through history. Of Jotham, it is said that he prepared his ways to obey God and was made strong (2 Chro 27:6). David, having known this, said "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he shall give you the desires of your heart" (Psalm 37:4).
       Isn't that amazing? At least now you know why he was a man described as after God's heart. Just like him, you can rewrite your own story today; and it's simple. You can either despise the Word and fail, or you can obey the Word and succeed. It should be an easy pick for you; but while you're on that, know this: "Oh, that we might know the Lord! Let us press on to know him, and he will respond to us as surely as the coming of dawn or the rain of early spring." (Hosea 6:3 TLB). Obeying God always pays off good.

Prayer:
Dear God, I thank you because it's always your intention to keep me overflowing with blessings. I also thank you because you have shown me how to access it. I thank you for your Spirit in me that encourages and helps me to willingly obey you. I thank for your Word that teaches me to obey you so as to find good success in life. And I know that in the Name of Jesus I shall continually live in obedience and remembrance of your perfect will in Christ. Amen.