Devotional shared at Metropolitan SDA Men’s Ministry Prayer session 1/15/2022.

Scriptural Reference:

“Some of the people went out anyway on the seventh day, but they found no food.” Exodus 16: 27 NLT

Happy new year! I’m excited to share this short devotional on the topic ‘obedience.’ As we know, obedience is a very simple concept but often difficult to execute. Trying to teach a child to obey instructions is almost as difficult as taking candy away from a baby. 🙂

Even as adults we often struggle with following commands:

• to obey traffic signals
• to obey the laws of health
• to follow protocols on the job
• to obey our wives or significant others’ directives. Yes men, we do need to follow instructions at times to have a happy life. Happy wife, happy life. 🙂
• Ultimately to obey God’s commands

We as Adventist Christians believe that God’s highest standards are outlined in the ‘Ten Commandments’ presented in Exodus 20. Time wouldn’t permit us to go through all ten, but I like how Jesus summarized it in the book of John where He says,

“So now I am giving you a new commandment: love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:34-35 NLT

This to me is the crux of Christianity, i.e. how to love each other as demonstrated by Christ through his sacrificial life.

Nevertheless, today I draw reference to Exodus 16 because often we as human beings neglect to follow God’s Word but like the children of Israel, we expect blessings. Exodus 16 refers specifically to the Sabbath but it can be applied to other areas of our life as well.

The Sabbath was set apart as a special day, a day to be dedicated to the Lord. Specific instructions were given by God to rest and to put aside work. In the wilderness the people received a double portion of manna on Friday, yet some people still went out on Saturday to find food and found none.

Simply, God’s instructions are for our own good and as we obey and follow His commands, we will receive the blessings He has for us, in 2022 and beyond!

The hymn writer J.H. Sammis said it best in the hymn Trust and Obey:

“When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word what a glory He sheds on our way. While we do His good will, He abides with us still, and with all who will trust and obey….”

Let us continue to trust and obey for indeed there’s no better way!

Prayer

Lord, give us the strength to follow your commands, to be obedient to your will and your way. We give You all the glory for what You may accomplish through us as we place our trust in You each day. Forgive us where we have faltered and teach us to be forgiving of others. Please provide for our needs as You see best and help us to be obedient to your commands, by the power of your Spirit. We pray this prayer believing that You hear us always. Amen