Joyful in Obedience

"Praise the Lord! How joyful are those who fear the Lord and delight in obeying his commands." Psalm 112:1

Do you delight to obey the Lord, even when it is costly?

In Genesis 22, we read the story of Abraham, whom God called to go and sacrifice his son, Isaac.  This was the son of promise whom God had given to Abraham and Sarah in their old age.  This son, Isaac, was a miracle child, born when Abraham was 100 years old and Sarah was 90.  Sarah laughed when the angels came to tell of the promised child, whose name means laughter.

And it was only after Abraham bound this precious son of promise and placed him on the altar of sacrifice that God called again to Abraham, providing a more fitting sacrifice, a ram; thus, saving Isaac.

Abraham held nothing back from God.  He surrendered all that was most precious in this life.  It was his delight to obey God.  

Have you and I done this?

In Deuteronomy30:19-20, Moses speaks to the people of Israel before they cross the Jordan river and enter into the promised land, saying, "Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the Lord, you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”

If we have any understanding at all about the One requiring our obedience, then we will not hesitate to obey Him, joyfully.  For we know that He loves us greater than any earthly love and withholds nothing that is good from us—nothing at all.

Goodnight, Runners.