March 17, 2020 / Amanda Johnson

I Kings 17, II Kings 5

Blessings and provision follow obedience! As mothers we have a unique opportunity to model for our children what we require of them. This principle is well-established in scripture.

Consider Jeremiah. He did not understand why God told him to buy land, then bury the deed! Jeremiah obeyed and God brought restoration (Jeremiah 32).

The Widow at Zarephath was instructed to prepare a meal for the Prophet with the last food she had left to feed her son. Elijah compelled her and she obeyed despite the desperation of her situation. It didn’t make sense, but after serving him her very last the widow found that her flour bin was never empty and her jar of oil was never dry (I Kings 17).

Naman needed to be cured of Leprosy. It made very little sense to him that washing in the filthy waters of the Jordan would bring healing. He complied and the Bible says Naman’s skin was restored like that of a little child and he was healed (II Kings 5).

Mary was the guest at a wedding in Cana in Galilee. The host ran out of wine. Mary told the servants at the wedding “whatever He (Jesus) says to you, do it.” Scripture says the master of the feast marveled, because he did not know where the wine came from (John 2).

Peter and his companions were professional fishermen. They had fished all night. Unsuccessful, the fishermen had washed their nets. Despite being convinced that the fish just weren’t biting that evening, when Jesus instructed Peter to, “launch out into the deep and let down your nets for catch,” Peter responded,

“Master we have toiled all night and caught nothing, nevertheless at your word I will let down the net.” Peter and his friends caught so many fish their nets started to break (Luke 5)!

Before Paul became the great Apostle, he was Saul, dedicated to persecuting the fledgling group of Jesus’ followers:

“…breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord,” he was on his way “to secure permission from the high priest to bring any who were a part of the Way bound to Jerusalem. ”

Imagine being told by God to go to Saul and lay hands on him in order to heal his blindness. Yet this was the instruction given to Ananais. He expressed misgivings to the Lord, but had faith to obey. The faith of Ananais contributed significantly to the growth of the church, because Saul the persecuter became Paul the champion of Jesus Christ.

Obedience is the outgrowth of our love for Jesus, not obligation or duty. It is still my goal to express to my children and grandchildren the blessings and benefits of obedience. It’s the most profound way for me to say “I love you” to God.