January 8: WHERE IS YOUR LOYALTY?

“What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.” John 13:7

The simple lesson conveyed in the old hymn Trust and Obey has this practical “takeaway”: we may not readily comprehend the divine wisdom behind the Lord’s instructions. Yet, if we are true disciples of Jesus, we will follow through in obedience. Obedience is often the very thing that opens our understanding to His reason—but regardless of when this happens, we should never forget that His purposes are far greater than human minds readily comprehend.

The exercising of faith means trusting and honoring Him with my obedience. It is perfectly ok to say to Him, “Lord, I’m not sure why You told me to do this, but I know that You love me, that you desire the best for me; I want to show love to You by honoring Your commands.” In a personal relationship with Jesus, the commitment is to the person of Jesus Christ whose words we are to live by.

A loyal heart is revealed to the world by action. Growing toward spiritual maturity means looking less for God to exhibit Himself to His children, but instead looking expectantly to Him to exhibit Himself in His children—namely yourself! This is when He will show Himself strong on your behalf. Your undivided loyalty to Him alone allows Him to radiate His drawing power—for the eternal sake of others—toward Himself. Filled with the Holy Spirit, your life becomes a joyfully urgent invitation to the world to get to know the real and true God while there is still time.

The eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. 2 Chronicles 16:9