So You handed them over to their enemies, who made them suffer. But in their time of trouble they cried to You, and You heard them from heaven. In Your great mercy, You sent them liberators who rescued them from their enemies.
(Nehemiah 9:27 NLT)
It is not God’s will that we suffer but that we are obedient and do everything with a thankful heart but sometimes our path becomes bent and our attention becomes fixed on things other than God. It is in these times that He allows us to suffer or by His grace we recognize our current state and allow God’s Holy Spirit to lead us back to our first love and avoid the suffering that was surely headed our way.
But Samuel replied, "What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to His voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.
(1Sa 15:22 NLT)
Is it that God needs our attention, God is in need of nothing! Could it be God our Creator knows what is best for that which He has created? And is He not worthy of all adoration? Why then does my heart wonder? What is it I am looking for that cannot be found in Christ, my Savior and Redeemer? I have experienced His joy and presence in my life and feel as though I could dwell there forever. I have also suffered from my own bad decisions and pride and I don’t want to go there again still I struggle with doing things that will take me to even worse places. I do know this, the condition of my soul is more important than the comfort of my flesh; meaning if my flesh must suffer in order for my soul to be set back on the narrow path and my focus back on God then it’s not hard to imagine why He would allow it.
Our ultimate goal is to make it to that heavenly home and hear the Father say, “Well done, my faithful servant.” But I also believe it’s what we allow God to do through us in this life that determines our purpose in the next.
The greatest among you must be a servant.
(Mat 23:11 NLT)
Look at the apostils they gave their lives to show others the way. Do you not think their reward will be greater (read Luke 19:12-26)? I don’t know about you but I don’t want to barely make it by living a life filled with my wants right up to the very end and then recognizing my need for Jesus with my last breath. This life with all the good and bad is our time to walk with Jesus, to really know Him, to understand He is there when trouble comes, and to laugh with Him when it is time to rejoice and to be His witnesses so others can share the life you have found. So you see obedience is better that sacrifice.
Lord, thank you for this life though I do not always appreciate it. I am guilty of allowing my eyes and heart to wonder which bring about many struggles, please forgive me. Won’t You help me live a life that is pleasing to You by renewing my mind and strengthening my spirit so that I might better listen to Your leading. Lead me into paths of righteousness so that I might know Your purpose and see Your direction. May Your grace cover me so that I am not crushed by the enemy and may Your Holy Spirit fill me so that I respond to my enemy in love. Lord, You see how very fragile I am yet You hold me with all assurance - I am Yours and nothing can remove me from Your hand. You have also given me free will, may I always choose You and remain close to my first love.
