Elevate Your Day with Andi and Brian Hale

A New Way of Thinking (Tame Your Thoughts)

How does the Spirit of God change us? He enrolls us in the University of Godly Thought. Little by little, day by day, year by year, he creates a new person!
We learn to:
Take thoughts captive
Test each message against the truth of Scripture
Interrupt poisonous thought threads before they infect us
Think and act like Jesus
Does this appeal to you? More faith, less fear? More grace, less guilt? More love, less lust? More security, less insecurity? It is yours for the asking.
Ephesians 4:22-24 ESVput off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
Remember who you are! You aren’t just anyone; you are a covenant partner with God, a full-fledged member of his kingdom development program.
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9 ESV).
God has pledged to remake you by changing the way you think. He has equipped you to tame your thoughts.
Being a disciple comes down to letting God change the way we live by changing the way we think. Good actions follow good thoughts. Behavior takes its cue from beliefs. If our belief is wrong, our behavior will be wrong. But, if our belief is godly, our behavior will be godly.
Let God lead you. Pray specific prayers about your specific thought patterns. Identify the tendencies that steal your joy and pilfer your peace. Take them to Christ like you would take a broken chair to a carpenter. “Can you please fix this?”
Psalm 139:23-24 ESVSearch me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
Christ has a grand dream for you, my friend. He is shaping you into an image of one worthy of walking the streets of heaven. And it all begins with a simple choice: Tame your thoughts; think about what you think about.
I hope you will.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for giving me the ability to retrain my brain. Thank you for equipping me to tame my thoughts and change my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.

When You Feel Overwhelmed (Tame Your Thoughts)

From Tame Your Thoughts by Max Lucado on YouVersion
Giant-sized challenges are won not with bigger biceps but with better thought management. Your mindset is your most valuable tool. It’s time to screen thoughts, interrupt thoughts, extract and replace thoughts. And I know just the fellow to help us.
God called him “a man after my own heart” in Acts 13:22. Such words were never said about Abraham or Moses. Paul was called an apostle; John was called “beloved”—but never “a man after God’s own heart.” God crowned only David with this title. Why? What was unique about this son of Jesse? A case can be made for this answer. He made this six-word motto his mantra: “The battle belongs to the LORD” (1 Samuel 17:47).
1 Peter 5:8 ESVBe sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
What giant seeks to liposuction the life out of your life? Does he come in the form of a disease? Is he wearing the garb of debt? Or defeat, one put-down after another? Is it time for you to use some thought management tools?
Psalm 34:17-20 ESVWhen the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.
David resolved to shift his gaze away from the mess that surrounded him and focus on the God who sustained him. He meditated on God’s works. Maybe he made a list of miracles. Counted his blessings. Recalled God’s goodness. He took thoughts of death captive and replaced them with thoughts of life.
Negative thoughts lead to negative feelings. Thoughts of faith create feelings of hope. Be God-minded! Meditate on him.
Prayer
Father in Heaven, bring me peace when I am overwhelmed. Thank you for hearing my cries no matter where I am or what overwhelming giant I am facing. In Jesus’ name, amen.

When You Can't Find Joy (Tame Your Thoughts)

From Tame Your Thoughts by Max Lucado on YouVersion
Hebrews 12:1-2 ESVTherefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
The joy Jesus offers is unlike the one promised at the car dealership or shopping mall. He is not interested in a joy that depends upon circumstance.
Did his joy hinge on the approval of others? No, even his family didn’t believe in him. Did his joy depend upon possessions? He didn’t even have a place to lay his head. Was his joy based on the loyalty of people? Peter denied him. Judas betrayed him. The Romans murdered him. Yet, “for the joy set before him he endured the cross”.
Jesus enjoyed a resilient joy.
What about you? Have you buried a dream? Have you buried a marriage? Buried a friend? As you look at these burial plots of life, is your joy buried there as well?
If so, you may have anchored your vessel of joy to the wrong place.
During my single years, I lived on a houseboat that was docked on the Miami River. The water level would rise and fall with the tide. The boat would rock back and forth with the river traffic. But though the river changed and the boat rocked, we never drifted. The boat was anchored to a concrete wall.
Courageously joyful people have done something similar. They have tethered their hearts to the foundation of God.
Is that to say your life will be storm-free? No. “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12 ESV).
Is that to say no sorrow will come your way? No. “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NIV).
Is that to say you will never cross the drylands of sorrow? No. But that is to say your sorrow will not last forever. “Your sorrow will be turned into joy” (John 16:20b NKJV).
The boat will rock. Moods will come and go. But will you be left adrift on the Atlantic of despair? No, for you have found a joy that remains courageous through the storm.
Prayer
Father in Heaven, Help me anchor my soul in Jesus and find complete joy. Thank you for your constant guidance. In Jesus’ name, amen.
 

When You Battle Anxiety (Tame Your Thoughts)

Sometimes God calms the storm.
He excises the malignant cancer, transfers the cranky boss, replenishes the diminishing funds. The breath of heaven blows, the clouds scatter, and the winter sky becomes a springtime blue.
Sometimes he calms the storm. Other times, however, he chooses to calm the child.
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” – 1 Peter 5:7
Rather than quiet the tempest, he stills the sailor. Rather than remove the disease, he removes the fear. Rather than lift the debt, he lifts the doubt. The storm still brews, the wind still blows, but the child no longer frets; he trusts. He may even snooze.
Matthew 6:27 ESVAnd which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
Anxiety happens when we think the world is spinning out of control. The untruth deceives us into believing that the problem has no solution. The consequential false narrative says, “My life is nothing but a maelstrom of messes.” An overreaction chimes in with a Chicken Little squawk of, “The sky is falling! The sky is falling!”
Be on the alert for this downward spiral. Disarm these thoughts the moment they begin to grouse. Rather than heed them, heed him. Anxiety is calmed when we talk to the one in charge.
No storm ever hit harder than the one that raged through Gethsemane’s garden. And no prayer was ever prayed with more passion than the one Jesus prayed on the eve of his death. “Can you calm the storm?” Jesus asked. God did for Moses. God did for Daniel. God would do so for Paul and Silas. Could he not do the same for his own Son?
Of course he could. But he chose not to. The cross was part of God’s plan to redeem his children. God did not calm the storm. But our Father calmed his Son. And Jesus marched to Calvary in peace. A heaven-sent, illogical, stare-death-in-the-face-with-a-smile peace.
Philippians 4:4-8 ESVRejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
I pray God calms your storm. If he does not, may he calm you. And may you find the “peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7 ESV).
Prayer
Dear God, You have promised perfect peace to those who focus on you. When I battle anxiety, help me keep my thoughts on you. Help me uproot the weed of anxiety and replant with your joy.

Think About What You Think About (Tame Your Thoughts)

From Tame Your Thoughts by Max Lucado on YouVersion
Romans 8:5-8 ESVFor those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
Thoughts. We cannot see them. We cannot buy them. We cannot always predict them. But we cannot deny this about them: They define our lives. Think well, live well. Think poorly, live poorly.
2 Corinthians 10:5 ESVWe destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
Are your days ever so gloomy? You can change that.
Perpetually anxious? Abundant peace is an option.
Heavied by regrets? Your past need not define your future.
Hounded by inner critics? You can defang those voices in your head.
You can tame your thoughts! A new “you” will appear as new thoughts begin to emerge.
Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. – Proverbs 4:23 ESV
Search “thought management” on the internet, and you will find a Pacific Ocean of answers—magazine articles, TED Talks, podcasts, blogs, and books. They explore meditation, medication, and transcranial magnetic stimulation. Better your brain by running more, eating right, sleeping longer, taking supplements, reading Lucado books. (Who added that last one?)
There’s a lot to wade through. I seek neither to promote nor debunk these treatments. I prefer to focus on three tools, an ancient trio of strategies that I know well, and I know work well. Call them what you wish: Thought management 101. Your mental tool kit. Mental floss. However you tag them, they make a difference—a huge difference.
The Tool Kit
Practice Picky Thinking. Guard your thoughts.
Identify UFOs. An Untruth (U) creates a False narrative (F) that leads to an Overreaction (O).
Uproot and Replant. Weed out your most unhealthy thought patterns and replace them with divine truth.
Romans 12:2 ESVDo not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
These tools will empower you to think clearly and rightly. Sometimes all three are needed. At other times just one or two will suffice. Either way, these tools will rescue you from the quicksand of ungovernable thoughts.
With God as your helper, you will discover a new way of thinking.
Prayer
Dear Father, please guide me in using the tools Max presented. Help me know how to guard my thoughts, identify untruths that lead to false narratives and overreactions, weed out unhealthy thoughts, and replace them with your truth. In Jesus’ name, amen.

The Blessings of Obedience (The Outcome of Obedience)

Divine Blessings
Genesis 22:15-18 ESVAnd the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven and said, “By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.”
Obedience brings divine blessings and strengthens our faith. After Abraham’s act of obedience, God blessed him and promised to multiply his descendants as the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. This blessing extended beyond Abraham to all nations through his offspring. Abraham’s obedience had far-reaching effects, fulfilling God’s promises and impacting generations to come.
Refined by Trials
1 Peter 1:6-7 ESVIn this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 1:6-7 reminds us that trials refine our faith and bring glory to God. Obedience during difficult times is a testament to our faith and commitment to God. Just as Abraham’s obedience resulted in blessings that impacted generations, our obedience is not just about us. It’s about the generations in our families, along with the families of the people we are called to lead and serve. The trials we face serve to strengthen our faith and prepare us for greater blessings.
The Journey and Impact of Obedience
We know obedience is a journey that often involves trials and challenges. However, these trials refine our faith and bring us closer to God. When we remain obedient, we open the door to God’s wisdom and blessings in our lives. Abraham’s story teaches us that the blessings of obedience extend beyond our immediate circumstances. Our obedience is a testament to our faith and trust in God.
Pray this Prayer:
Lord, thank you for the blessings that come with obedience. Instead of focusing on the gift, help me focus on the Gift-Giver. Help me to remain faithful and obedient to you, even in trials. May my life be a testament to Your goodness and faithfulness, bringing glory to Your name. Thank you for all You have done, are doing, and will do in the days to come. You sit on the highest throne where You will always remain. Amen.Your Practical Action Step:
Reflect on the blessings that have come from your past acts of obedience. Write them down as a reminder of God’s faithfulness and mercy. Reach out to a friend or family member to encourage them to reflect on the blessings from their own journey of obedience.

Overcoming Challenges (The Outcome of Obedience)

Spiritual Battles
Ephesians 6:10-20 ESVFinally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.
In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
Obedience to God can be challenging due to spiritual battles and temptations. Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces. This awareness helps us understand that our struggles with obedience are often rooted in a deeper spiritual conflict. Recognizing this helps us rely on God’s strength to overcome these challenges.
Understanding Temptation
James 1:13-18 ESV – Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
James 1:13 reminds us that God does not tempt us, emphasizing that our struggles are not from Him but from the enemy or human desires that are out of alignment with God’s will. The sole mission of the enemy is to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). Understanding this helps us resist the enemy’s attempts to lead us astray and remain steadfast in our commitment to God.
Perseverance in Obedience
Colossians 3:1-2 ESVIf then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
During seasons of testing, it is crucial to remain focused on heavenly things and trust God’s plans, as highlighted in Colossians 3:1-2. By believing and acting on God’s word, we can overcome challenges and remain obedient to His will. Abraham’s story teaches us the importance of perseverance and faith in the face of trials. His unwavering trust in God’s promises allowed him to overcome the challenge of potentially losing his son.
Combining Knowledge and Belief
Obedience requires a combination of knowing and believing God’s word. It involves daily surrender and the constant renewal of our minds to focus on God’s promises rather than our circumstances. By overcoming these challenges, we strengthen our faith and develop a deeper reliance on God, enabling us to fulfill His will in our lives. As we stand firm on our knowledge and belief in God’s word, we can overcome the challenges and temptations that come our way and remain obedient to God’s will.
Pray this Prayer:
Father, strengthen me with endurance and capacity in the face of challenges and temptations. Grant me a sound mind. Help me to recognize and resist the enemy’s schemes. Grant me the perseverance to remain obedient to your will, knowing that you are with me in every trial. You sit on the highest throne and forever will remain. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.
Your Practical Action Step:
Identify a specific challenge or temptation you face on your obedience journey. Spend time in prayer, asking God for strength, a sound mind, and guidance. Find a scripture, character, or Bible story that addresses this challenge you’ve just submitted to God, and meditate on it daily, using the lessons you learn as a weapon against the enemy’s attacks.

The Purpose of Obedience (The Outcome of Obedience)

Aligning with God’s Will
Genesis 22:10-12 ESVThen Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.”
The purpose of obedience is to align our lives with God’s divine will and purpose. Abraham’s obedience on Mount Moriah demonstrated his reverence and respect for God. His willingness to sacrifice Isaac showed that he trusted God’s plan completely, even when he couldn’t see the outcome. This act of faith was not just about following a command, but about aligning his will with God’s greater purpose.
Staying Focused on God’s Mission
Proverbs 4:20-27 ESVMy son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you.  Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.
Proverbs 4:25-26 encourages us to keep our eyes fixed on God’s path and avoid distractions. Obedience helps us stay focused on God’s mission for our lives, ensuring that we do not deviate from His divine course. When Abraham lifted his hand to sacrifice Isaac, he was fully committed to God’s will, trusting that God would provide. This moment of obedience, even in the face of immense personal sacrifice, revealed Abraham’s unwavering faith in, focus on, and devotion to God.
The Outcome of Obedience
In our lives, obedience serves a similar purpose. It helps keep us focused on His plans and prevents us from being swayed by distractions. Let’s remember:
Abraham’s story reveals that obedience is a daily commitment to trust in God’s guidance and provision, even when the path is unclear.
Just as God provided a ram in place of Isaac, He will provide for us when we commit to following His will.
Our obedience is a testament to our faith and trust in God, and it opens the door for His blessings and guidance in our lives.
By aligning our lives with God’s will, we stay on His path and fulfill His purposes for us.
Pray this Prayer:
Lord, help me to stay focused on Your path and avoid the fiery darts of the enemy and other distractions intended to prevent us from standing confidently on Your living word. Teach me to trust in your provision and obey your commands, even when the way is unclear. Strengthen my faith and help me to live a life that honors You. Amen.
Your Practical Action Step:
Reflect on areas where you may be distracted or deviating from God’s path. Identify one specific distraction and make a plan to remove it from your life. Commit to spending time in prayer and scripture daily, asking God to help you stay focused on His will and purpose for your life.

The Cost and Reward (The Outcome of Obedience)

Aligning with God’s Will
Genesis 22:10-12 ESVThen Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.”
The purpose of obedience is to align our lives with God’s divine will and purpose. Abraham’s obedience on Mount Moriah demonstrated his reverence and respect for God. His willingness to sacrifice Isaac showed that he trusted God’s plan completely, even when he couldn’t see the outcome. This act of faith was not just about following a command, but about aligning his will with God’s greater purpose.
Staying Focused on God’s Mission
Proverbs 4:20-27 ESVMy son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you.  Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.
Proverbs 4:25-26 encourages us to keep our eyes fixed on God’s path and avoid distractions. Obedience helps us stay focused on God’s mission for our lives, ensuring that we do not deviate from His divine course. When Abraham lifted his hand to sacrifice Isaac, he was fully committed to God’s will, trusting that God would provide. This moment of obedience, even in the face of immense personal sacrifice, revealed Abraham’s unwavering faith in, focus on, and devotion to God.
The Outcome of Obedience
In our lives, obedience serves a similar purpose. It helps keep us focused on His plans and prevents us from being swayed by distractions. Let’s remember:
Abraham’s story reveals that obedience is a daily commitment to trust in God’s guidance and provision, even when the path is unclear.
Just as God provided a ram in place of Isaac, He will provide for us when we commit to following His will.
Our obedience is a testament to our faith and trust in God, and it opens the door for His blessings and guidance in our lives.
By aligning our lives with God’s will, we stay on His path and fulfill His purposes for us.
 
Reflect on areas where you may be distracted or deviating from God’s path. Identify one specific distraction and make a plan to remove it from your life. Commit to spending time in prayer and scripture daily, asking God to help you stay focused on His will and purpose for your life.
 
Lord, help me to stay focused on Your path and avoid the fiery darts of the enemy and other distractions intended to prevent us from standing confidently on Your living word. Teach me to trust in your provision and obey your commands, even when the way is unclear. Strengthen my faith and help me to live a life that honors You. Amen.
 

Understanding Obedience (The Outcome of Obedience)

Obedience Defined
If you love me, you will keep my commandments. – John 14:15
Obedience to God is foundational in the life of a believer, rooted in a deep understanding of His authority and willingness to listen to His voice. The Bible repeatedly calls us to obey, or hear, listen, and trust, God’s commands as an expression of our faith in Him. This definition reveals that obedience begins with a relationship—a relationship built on listening to God’s voice, trusting His word, and obeying His instructions. In John 10:27, Jesus says,
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”
This verse draws our attention to the essence of biblical obedience: being sensitive to Jesus’ voice and following Jesus’ blueprint for becoming like Him.
Genesis 22:1-19 ESVAfter these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him.
On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.” And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together. And Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” Abraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they went both of them together.
When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son.
But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son.
So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.” And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven and said, “By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.” So Abraham returned to his young men, and they arose and went together to Beersheba. And Abraham lived at Beersheba.
Abraham’s Journey Toward Obedience
Abraham’s story in Genesis 22 exemplifies this kind of obedience. Abraham’s response to God’s command to sacrifice Isaac illustrates true obedience. While you and I likely would have side-eyed God for instructing us to sacrifice the son we prayed and waited for more than two decades (as some scholars reported), Abraham’s willingness to act without hesitation shows that obedience is not just about following orders but about surrendering our will to God and aligning ourselves with His. It is about trusting His wisdom even when we do not understand His ways. This kind of obedience requires a heart that is fully devoted to God, ready to act in faith regardless of the cost. By meditating on Abraham’s example, we learn that obedience is not just an action but a reflection of our relationship with God, marked by trust, love, and reverence for His divine will.
Develop the Characteristics of Obedience
Obedience is not merely about following rules, but about a heartfelt commitment to God’s will. Biblical obedience involves:
Submitting to His authority
Living by faith
Having confidence in His plans
Hearing and responding to God’s word
Following biblical teachings
Obedience means putting our faith into action. Abraham’s story teaches us that true obedience stems from a place of deep surrender and unwavering trust (faith) in God’s promises, even when we do not see the full picture (yet).
Deuteronomy 11:1 ESVYou shall therefore love the Lord your God and keep his charge, his statutes, his rules, and his commandments always.
Pray this Prayer:
Lord, help me to trust and obey your voice. Slow me down and teach me to listen to your word so that my first response is with faith and submission. Strengthen my desire and willpower to follow your teachings and live by faith, just as Abraham did. You are mighty to save. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Your Practical Action Step:
Today, take a moment to reflect on an area of your life where God is inviting you to trust and obey Him. Write down any fears, resistance, or doubts, and surrender them to God in prayer. Commit to taking one step of obedience, no matter how small, and trust that God will guide you through it.