If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land. -Isaiah 1:19(NKJV)
Many times we are willing, but don’t always remember that obedience must accompany the willingness. People sometimes think they can partially obey God and still walk in His best; or that they can pick and choose what commands to obey or not obey, and still be blessed. It doesn't work that way. Ninety-five percent obedience is not obedience. If you are required to run 20 miles to complete a marathon, running 19 miles is not enough. You can pat yourself on the back all you want for the miles you ran, but if you want to live in Victory, you have to be willing to complete the marathon. God needs us to trust Him by stepping out and investing 100% of our lives in Him.
When we ask our kids to take out the trash, and they only take it to the door, are we pleased? No. We want our instructions to be followed to the letter. God is the same way. He doesn't want us falling back on our own understanding when things seem impossible. Rather, He wants us to trust in Him.
Today, determine to not only be willing, but to obey God without hesitation. Let’s be 100% invested in giving everything we can to accomplishing God's instructions, and let Him perfect the results.
-Pastor Joanne Hoehne
excerpt from book: “Victorious Living: The Life You Were Created To Live”