Delayed Obedience

"I will hurry, without delay, to obey your commands."  Psalm 119:60

Do you ever put off doing things you know you should do?

When I was a little girl, making my bed in the morning was not a priority.  My sweet mother often had to remind me to do it.  By the second reminder she would say, "Prissy, delayed obedience is disobedience.  If you can't obey Momma, how do you expect to obey God?"

Her words were apples of gold in settings of silver (Proverbs 25:11).

God gently whispers His will to us.  He calls to us, telling us the things He wants us to do.  When we hear His voice, we mustn't delay to obey Him.  When we delay, we disobey and miss out on His best. If we ignore His voice continually, we will become deaf to Him, and our own conscience becomes unreliable (1 Timothy 4:2).

Over time, I've learned to heed my mother's words of wisdom--God's wisdom.  I don't leave the bed unmade any longer.  Greater still, I must not leave the work God calls me to undone, either.  The opportunities that God sends our way do not wait.  Many, when missed, are gone forever.  Often, we are fooled into thinking we will have another opportunity tomorrow, or at some other time, later.  

But, what causes us to wait?  If we examine our hearts, we will find selfishness there.  It's all one-sided.  We want all the benefits we can get from God, but none of the responsibilities.  It's a sign we have not fully repented of our sin and given God control of our lives.  A person with no desire to obey Christ does not know Christ.  He/she is not a Christian.

It is something Paul addressed with the Jews in Jerusalem written in Acts 22:16, when he said, "What are you waiting for? Get up and be baptized. Have your sins washed away by calling on the name of the Lord."

So, how are you delaying to obey today?

I pray that you will make your bed today, and more importantly, that you would take up your cross and follow Him without delay today.

Goodnight, Runners.