Audacious Obedience

Ever feel like God has called you to do something that doesn’t make sense?

• Purity in your romantic relationships
• Going on a missions trip
• Staying in-state for college to avoid debt
• Waiting (enough said)
• Spending time with Jesus with a busy schedule
• Respecting your parents
• Refusing to date a man or woman who doesn’t follow Christ
• Tithing

The Israelites had a problem with a few of these. Here is what God said of them: ” ‘It’s too hard to serve the Lord,’ and you turn up your noses at my commands,” says the Lord. Malachi 1:13

However, God still spoke amazing words of promise to these people through the prophet Malachi. In fact, Malachi’s prophecy was the last bit of instruction God’s people could depend on for 400 years till Jesus came.

If you feel you God has brought you into an unfair or illogical situation, I suggest you read the book of Malachi. It is very short, and simply put.

God says, “Listen to me and make up your minds to honor my name,” (Mal 2:1). The next 3 chapters describe how God’s people must honor him: in their money, relationships, marriages, treatment of others, and their worship. He calls them to obedience in these areas then says:

“If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard them from insects and disease. Your grapes will not fall from the vine before they are ripe,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “Then all nations will call you blessed, for your land will be such a delight,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. Malachi 3:10-12

Whatever you are facing, God challenges you to TEST HIM. Obey in that area, and see if He will not bless your

• Pure relationships
• Christ-first time management
• God-honoring financial choices
• Devoted pursuit of Jesus

Make no mistake, this is not a prosperity-Gospel. We are not attempting to manipulate God to give us stuff or make us rich. This is about honoring God for HIS honor and glory, and trusting that He knows what’s best for us… even when it doesn’t feel good or make sense to people around us.

Make the choice to live in audacious trust and obedience to our faithful God. And please let me know how you are doing it! (Comment below.)

*Thanks to my lovely friend Kristen for the inspiring picture.