The Crisis of Obedience

Psalm 34

To show what matters lies at the core of our problem of being obedient to the Lord.

Most people find obedience to God is a hard matter to handle in everyday living. Theoretically, we know how to be faithful, but in practice, it becomes a challenge.

We are often much like one of my favorite comic strip characters, Rufus, of Gasoline Alley. “I’ll do it, but I don’t think I am going to like it.”

His attitude is closely akin to the approach to obedience within many of us. Today, I want to investigate the reasons why so many find it hard to comply with God’s will and purpose for our lives.

• There is the question of our understanding of God’s person
  • Is God someone whom it makes sense to follow?
    • The businessperson questioning if it is worth applying Christian principles to their business
    • The spouse in a troubled marriage questioning if it is worth it to live Biblically
    • The teen who desires popularity questioning if it is worth being a Christian
  • We need to see a personal God who loves us, wants the best for us, and brings hope from despair
    • Biblical expression of despair – tearing robes
      • Caiphas when he believed Jesus blasphemed (Matthew 26:65)
      • Joshua and Caleb when the people chose to disobey God (Numbers 14:6)
      • Jephthah in his ill-favored promise to sacrifice the first thing that came through the door, his daughter (Judges 11:34)
    • Priests ordered not to tear robes (Leviticus 10:6)
      • The priests had the privilege of direct access to God
      • So do we, we do not need to be in despair
    • The hope of the Christian is bound up in the grace of God
      • Failure to believe this and act upon it causes us to have difficulty obeying God
• The question of God’s purpose
  • If we believe God can work on our behalf in all circumstances, no collection of setbacks will lead us to a serious thought of turning from Him
  • If God is as powerful as we claim, then our obedience will lead to the fulfillment of His intended purpose              
  • Is God’s purpose always good for me? (Psalm 34:10)
    • Often obedience to Biblical direction s regarded as an unwelcome duty. Something is wrong when God’s direction is no more welcome than that of an uncaring boss. Why are we reluctant? We don’t really believe God’s purposes are for our best good.
  • God’s purpose brings fulfillment (Psalm 34:15-19)
    • If we honor our commitment to obey God reluctantly we really are not honoring Him at all
    • Obedience is more than a duty, it is a privilege
• The question of God’s plan
  • Is God’s plan best for me (Psalm 34:22)
    • A religious platitude or truth? (Romans 8:28)
  • God’s plan needs obedience
    • We are not led by our erratic emotions, but by following Biblical instruction whether our feelings agree or rebel
      • The basis of this action is an awareness God will never ask His children to do anything that does not have their well-being in view
      • The problem of a steady commitment to obedience is not a problem of the will, it is a deficiency in our belief
      • The cure for a deficient belief is renewed faith, not just a greater effort
• Oh taste and see the Lord is good
  • The crises of obedience is in
    • Our understanding of who God is
    • Our understanding of His purpose
    • Our understanding of His plan

But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. Acts 4:19-20