Nougat 18

In our reflection recently we have been exploring Matters of the Heart. From the first reflection it became clear that we can THROW our hearts to God in seasons of distress. We’ve rehearsed Trainable, Hungry, Reliant and now we reflect on Obedient hearts.

Some would say having an Obedient heart goes without saying. Yet, inasmuch as common sense isn’t always common, so it is with obedience to God. Consider today’s Holy Nougat

“And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments. If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him.” ‭‭1 John‬ ‭2‬:‭3‬-‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Obedience is Knowing

Some of us might have heard the story time and again of the hiker who slipped on a mountain while alone one evening. The hiker found a branch and hung on for dear life, for fear of falling in the ravine. It was dark and with bag on back and both hands holding on to the tree, things were looking awkward.

Hypothermia set in, and the hiker cried out, ’God, if you are really out there, save me!’

God’s response: ’Let go of the branch.’

Considering the options, the hiker cried again, ’God, if you are really real, send help.’

God’s response: ‘Help is on the way. Now let the branch go!’

The hiker tried to maneuver closer to the trunk.

When the rescue team arrived, they found the unconscious hiker, fully frozen, almost dead, hanging to a branch one foot from the mountain floor. The ravine was near, but that outcropping had protected the hiker from the dangerous drop.

How many mountains of trials have we climbed and failed to believe that God was with us?

Oh what strain and stress and hypothermia we face because we don’t know God! To know God intimately includes yielding in obedience every step of the way, especially when we can’t see how close we are to the ravine and/or safety. David reminds us, ’even while I’m in the Valley of Shadows I am not afraid because *You ARE with me*!’

I don’t think it is blind obedience when we follow God’s commands. For we know Who God is and What God to capable of. Obedience is an act of love – towards God. It is critical for our survival. Both now and for securing our space for eternity.

Lord, for a heart like yours, that’s totally obedient to YHWH!

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May all we seek be found in Christ