Accomplished or Obedient?
Psalm 128:1 “Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in obedience to him.”
We live in a world where people judge others on their accomplishments. Just look at any awards show- the actors or musicians gather to celebrate achievements and accomplishments and those who get the attention are those who performed well and gained attention and accolades. Those who didn’t find their stars fading quickly. As popular as someone can be one year, they might be just a memory the next. The world would have us believe we’re only as valuable as our accomplishments. Unfortunately, this mindset often begins early and can set a trajectory for a son or daughter that implies their worth is based on what they can do or accomplish, rather than on their relationship to God.
Have you ever wondered, if Noah’s parents were present as their son worked tirelessly on the ark, what did they think? There he was, continually building that large boat when the world hadn’t even seen rain. Perhaps family friends pitied Noah’s parents… “He’s so smart, so capable, why would he waste his time on a silly project like that? Is he…..okay?” Meanwhile, other parents may have taken the opportunity to share their children's successes and accomplishments. Would Noah’s parents have tried to discourage him? Or would they have encouraged him to keep obeying the Lord and His commands? Would they build him up, reminding him that integrity is of greater value than fame and achievements? Would they tell him to ignore the other voices and focus on what God called him to do?
Then there’s Daniel. Oh, how his relatives might have been excited to see him work his way up through the ranks to the King’s service. But when he was thrown in the lion’s den for his insistence on praying so publicly where others could see his bold disobedience to the King’s decree, I’m sure others looked on with pity…or disdain. Were they embarrassed at how he seemingly ‘threw away’ his position and title? Or did they encourage him and pray for him, standing by his decision and trusting the Lord for his care and keeping among the lions?
What about Abraham? When he announced he was going to leave his father’s home and follow God - a God that his family didn’t know, were they angry or hurt?. He was stepping away from the cultural expectation that he would live alongside his father and continue the family business, traditions and carry on the family name. He was giving up his family’s reputation and wealth to follow God- a God they didn’t know or follow themselves. Or did Abraham’s bold faith move them to consider surrendering their hearts to a God that was greater than any they’d ever known?
Here’s the thing, each of these men chose obedience to God over accomplishments and associations. In each circumstance, it was clear the world deemed this the ‘wrong choice’. They could have chosen a different path that would have given them social acceptance, lucrative connections and power and fame. Yet, those choices would have ultimately led them away from the Lord and to death. Instead, they chose to obey and in their obedience, they were used by God to impact people and nations, not just in their time, but throughout history. Obedience brings life. The choices the world lauds leads to darkness….and death.
That, friends, is what we need to pray about today. How do we encourage our sons and daughters? Are we more concerned with their earthly success and financial achievements or are we burdened to see them following after the Lord? Do we care what the world says or are we passionate to see them hunger and thirst after Jesus?
Psalm 49:16-20 “Do not be overawed when others grow rich, when the splendor of their houses increases; for they will take nothing with them when they die, their splendor will not descend with them. Though while they live they count themselves blessed— and people praise you when you prosper—they will join those who have gone before them, who will never again see the light of life. People who have wealth but lack understanding are like the beasts that perish.”
Accomplishments or Obedience?
This week, let’s pray that our sons and daughters are moved to unwavering obedience to Christ and to following after Him rather than the world and it’s charms. Then, let’s begin to memorize Psalm 128:1 and pray it over our sons and daughters. “Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in obedience to him.”
Pray without ceasing, Friends.
Down the Garden Path
1 John 2:15-17 “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”
What was the original sin, committed by Adam and Eve? It was these, the lust of the flesh, the cravings of the body and senses, “Oh, that fruit looks sweet- I bet it tastes good, if I could just try it...take a bite, satisfy my craving….” It was the lust of the eyes and mind- the knowing better than, “And, really, I’m sure God didn’t mean what He said, right? Think about it… why would He deny us something that He placed right here in the garden for us to enjoy?! It only makes sense that we should be totally fine. And, really, we’re smart, right?” And the pride of life, not needing God because we know better… “We would be just like God, knowing good and evil, why, we would be even more compatible with Him- we deserve to be like Him!” Interestingly, Strong’s Concordance defines the pride of life as “an insolent and empty assurance, which trusts in its own power and resources and shamefully despises and violates divine laws and human rights, and an impious and empty presumption which trusts in the stability of earthly things” (1) Ah, knowing better than God…a surefire attitude that ruins any life.
It boils down to these: what we crave and desire, what we see with our eyes and think we know and understand in our minds and the prideful arrogance that tells us we are able to control our own destiny, we know better than God. It’s a full and total rebellion against God and His rightful Lordship in our lives. It’s the very trap with which Satan delights to ensnare us….since the beginning of time.
John is warning us of the lures and traps because not much has changed. Sin is sin. Yet, people still resist the warning, why? (go back are re-read the previous two paragraphs). We have a sinful heart that rebels against God. The desires and cravings that lead us down that garden path are the very same that lured Adam and Eve, the first man and woman living in the perfect garden in the Presence of God, into abandoning their perfect relationship with God.
Oh that we could protect our sons and daughters from these traps!! They lead to death. They ensnare us in darkness. They rob us of joy and purpose. Today, let’s pray that our sons and daughters would cling to life in Christ and would avoid those sins that would damage their relationship with God. Pray protection over and around them. Pray for discernment and a submissive spirit.
“Father, I pray that you would control the cravings of life. Do not allow (name) to long for thing that are ungodly or sinful. The lust of the flesh needs to die and the longing for the Spirit needs to be strong. I pray that you would help (name) to hunger and thirst for righteousness, not for things that would satisfy their sensual desires. Put a guard on (name)’s eyes. Keep them from craving things that would not support their relationship with You. Don’t let them see things that would distract them from You or that would put thoughts and desires in their mind that would war against Your will for them. I pray that they would guard their eyes and thoughts so that what they fill them with are good and Godly, not dark and sinful. Lord, I pray that (name) would be fully submitted to You, recognizing their deep need for Your lordship in their life. Let them daily surrender to You so that You are Who they trust in, and not themselves. Let them lay their will aside to follow after You with their whole heart, their whole mind and with all their being. I pray that they would seek to do Your will and bring You glory in everything. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Pray without ceasing.
G212 - alazoneia - Strong's Greek Lexicon (kjv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g212/kjv/tr/0-1/d