Obey Because God Says So - Daily Hope with Rick Warren - December 9, 2024

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Obey Because God Says So
By Rick Warren

“It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before.” Hebrews 11:7 (NLT)

Faith is being obedient even when you dont understand. In the New Testament alone, there are at least 1,050 commands—and theyre all for your benefit.

God often says things that seem confusing, such as, Love your enemies” and Forgive the people who hurt you.” Thats not easy! Many commands in the Bible seem difficult, unreasonable, unrealistic, unachievable, and even impossible. But when God says things like, You should save sex for marriage,” hes not being mean. He says it because he knows more than you do whats best and what will make you happy.

Every time God tells you to do something, it is a test of your faith. The question is this: Do you trust God, or do you trust your gut? Do you trust the Word, or do you trust the world?

Will you obey?

As a kid, did your parents ever ask you to do something that seemed unreasonable? When you asked, Why should I do this?” they would say, Because I said so!” Looking back, were the things your parents told you to do because they said so” the right thing? Yes. Can you see in hindsight how they were wise?

Just like he did with Noah, God will ask you to do things you dont understand for the rest of your life. When youre 80 years old, God will say, I want you to do this.” And you’ll ask, Why? That doesn’t make sense.” And God will say, Because I said so.”

Situations like these are a test. Faith is believing when you dont see it, but its also obeying when you dont understand it. If you dont learn to obey, you’ll miss out on so many blessings God has in store for you.

But if you learn to do what God tells you to do without question, even when it seems absurd and the exact opposite of your natural tendency, then you will grow in faith—and be blessed.

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