Obedience can be a struggle for many of us, as we don’t like being told what to do. Our natural inclination is to rebel, which often makes it difficult to comply with orders, requests, or even laws. However, this rebellious nature of ours can often hinder our progress, especially as it relates to our relationship with God. In this blog post, we will explore the idea of manifesting the glory of God through obedience, drawing inspiration from the story of Naaman in 2 Kings 5:1-16 and the indebted widow in 2 Kings 4: 1-7.
Naaman’s Dilemma
Naaman was a great warrior who was afflicted with leprosy, a condition that marked him as unclean. In search of a cure, he traveled to Israel and was directed to the house of the prophet Elisha. After arriving at Elisha’s house, Naaman felt disrespected when Elisha did not come out to greet him personally, but instead sent a messenger. Furthermore, the instructions he received in this message seemed absurd—dip seven times in the Jordan River. Naaman got upset and questioned why he had to dip in the Jordon River when there were better rivers elsewhere. Things were not going the way he had anticipated, and he was not enthused.
Fortunately, he had some wise individuals with him, who were able to persuade him by saying that if Elisha had commanded something difficult, he would have done it without hesitation. Encouraged by their words, Naaman chose to obey, and miraculously, he was healed. Through this healing act, Naaman recognized God’s power and vowed to worship no other.
The Indebted Widow
In 2 Kings 4: 1-7, we read the story of the indebted widow. Her husband died leaving her with a lot of debt and his creditors were coming to take her two sons as slaves. She naturally panicked and asked Elisha for help. Elisha asked her what she had in her house, and she replied nothing but a jar of oil. Divinely inspired, Elisha instructed her to borrow empty jars from all her neighbours, as many as she could get. He then instructed her to go inside, shut the door and pour into all these vessels.
Though I am certain the request must have seemed quite strange and she may have had doubts, she obeyed. As a result, the oil continued to flow until every jar was filled. When we are obedient, we position ourselves for breakthroughs and blessings.
Insights on Obedience
Obedience Doesn’t Require Understanding
Oftentimes, we hesitate to obey unless our mind is able to comprehend what is being asked in its entirety. However, true obedience lies in trusting God’s wisdom and following His commands, even when they seem illogical. Naaman questioned why he needed to dip in the Jordan River when cleaner alternatives were available. However, the healing power lay not in the location or the action itself, but in Naaman’s obedience. Similarly, when God’s instructions defy our logic, we must remember that His ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9).
Obedience Requires Trust, Humility, and Faith
These qualities were displayed by the indebted widow, and in the end, she was delivered from her debtors. When we trust someone, we readily follow their guidance. Who better to trust than God, who has good plans for us (Jer 29:11)? We may not understand the instructions, and we may not feel as if we have what is required for the task, however, we need to trust God to complete whatever He starts in us.
Obedience Requires Action
Obedience requires taking a step forward, even when fear and self-doubt attempt to hold us back. If God commands us to do something, He has already prepared the way for us to be successful. Our success is not dependent on our limitations but on our willingness to trust and act. Our fear of failure or disappointment should never override our fear of God.
Obedience Brings Reward
The stories of Naaman and the indebted widow highlight the rewards of obedience. Naaman’s healing, the widow’s freedom from debt, and financial breakthroughs exemplify positive outcomes of obedience. Conversely, disobedience can lead to turmoil and negative consequences. 1 Samuel 15:23 says that disobedience is as bad as the sin of sorcery. Our disobedience can also impact others, as seen in Jonah’s story(Jonah 1). However, through repentance and obedience, we can still manifest God’s glory.
Conclusion
Our journey of obedience may not be easy, as the enemy will throw obstacles our way but we must persevere, realizing that the impact of our obedience is powerful. Obedience opens the door for a life of purpose, healing, breakthroughs, financial provision, victory over our enemies, and a life that reflects the glory of God. Our obedience should be unwavering, rooted in trust, humility, and faith in God. What has God laid on your heart? What have you been too scared to pursue? Whether it is a small act of kindness and love towards others, or a bigger assignment and calling God has placed on our lives, let us be obedient and allow His glory to shine through us.
