How to Obey God’s Voice
Imagine you’re lost in the woods. Thankfully, you hear the faint call of a shepherd – someone who knows the way out! Discerning God’s voice is like hearing the shepherd’s call. But what good is it if we don’t follow His lead? Here’s why obedience to God’s voice is important:
- God’s Plans are Good: He wants what’s best for us, even when it seems difficult [Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) says: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”].
- Obedience Brings Blessings: Following God’s lead brings joy, peace, and a sense of fulfillment [Deuteronomy 28:1-2 (NIV) says: “Now it will come about that if you fully obey the Lord your God, being careful to do all His commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings will come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the Lord your God.”].
The Dangers of Disobedience:
- Missing Out on God’s Best: When we disobey, we can miss out on the blessings God has planned for us.
- Getting Lost: Just like getting lost in the woods, disobeying God can lead us down the wrong path.
Biblical Examples:
- Obedience: Noah: God told Noah to build an ark, and Noah obeyed. Because of his obedience, he and his family were saved from the flood [Genesis 6-8].
- Disobedience: Jonah: God told Jonah to preach to the people of Nineveh, but Jonah ran away. Eventually, Jonah obeyed, and the city repented [Jonah 1-4].
Story: Sarah (from our earlier story about exams) prays and feels a sense of peace trusting in God. This gives her the courage to face her exams without anxiety. She studies hard and feels confident going into the tests.
Remember: Following God’s voice isn’t always easy, but it’s always worth it. As you grow in your relationship with Him, you’ll find it becomes easier to trust His guidance and walk in the path He has laid out for you. With obedience comes joy, peace, and the confidence that you’re walking in God’s will!
