Listen to this devotion
Obedient Praise
In the Word
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise (Psalm 111:10).
Of the Word
O-B-E-D-I-E-N-C-E! A certain group of fourth graders loved to sing the praise song. They requested it often and sang with zeal. Their teacher, however, noticed they had considerably less zeal for actually being obedient.
True obedience isn’t easy for anyone. We know the Ten Commandments and have every intention of following them. In practice, however, we find ourselves going by our own rules. We find ourselves being disobedient, just like the fourth graders. And just like St. Paul, who wrote, I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do (Romans 7:15).
The Holy Spirit — the Sanctifier — works within us to change our disobedience into obedience. As a fruit of faith, obedience pleases God. It acknowledges His wisdom and accepts His authority. In addition, obedience praises God. It closes the gap between what we sing about and what we actually do. And obedience paves the way to wisdom — God’s wisdom. O-B-E-D-I-E-N-C-E. Let Him hear it — and see it — in your life today!
Walking with my Lord
Holy Spirit, grant me willing heart and able hands
To act in unity with God’s commands. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Mustard Seed: Living in Praise. Author: Patricia Mitchell. 8/32 ©2007 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org
Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
