50 Days to More: Day Thirty-One

50 Days to More

A Seven Week Campaign to Begin 2018

Week 5: Cultivating the Habit of Hourly Obedience

Day Thirty-One (2/6/18): The Cost of Obedience
Recommended Reading: Ephesians 5:1-9 

Although God requires that we obey him, he never promised that it would be easy or painless. Jesus very clearly tells us that we will keep his commands if we love him (John 14:15), but that’s all he says. He doesn’t say to keep his commands if we love him and it makes us happy or is easy. True obedience is doing anything that God commands, regardless of the cost or consequences. God’s commandments aren’t up for negotiation. Any argument we might have against his terms is immediately rejected.

This is something that is perfectly illustrated in the story of King David counting the fighting men (1 Chronicles 21). The Israelites just had extensive victories in military battle, thanks to God’s favor. However, King David was tempted by Satan to take a census of the people of Israel. The numbers became more important to him than being obedient and trusting God. This dishonor of God’s ability to win the battle led to big trouble for all of Israel.

When David realized the gravity of what he had done, he repented of his lack of faith in the Lord. In response, God gave David three options for his punishment. Each one had a significant meaning:

1. Three years of famine (Israel being judged by their circumstances).

2. Three months of devastation (Israel being judged by their enemies).

3. Three days of the sword of the Lord (Israel being judged by God).

Although it may seem the scariest, the best choice is the punishment of God. It may hurt the most, but it doesn’t last long. Also when it’s over, it’s over! Even David said that he would rather fall into the hands of God than the hands of men (1 Chronicles 21:13).

So God sent judgement upon Israel, and 70,000 men died. David cried out to God, asking him to have mercy on the innocent people who were suffering because of his sin. God gave King David instructions to build an altar on the threshing floor of Arunah the Jebusite. David told Arunah the instructions he received from God and that he wanted to purchase the threshing floor. Arunah offered to give him a bunch of animals and other supplies to use as offerings. David refused, because he would not make a sacrifice that was easy or came at no cost.

David knew that God gave him an instruction (pay for the land, build an altar, and make a sacrifice). He understood that he couldn’t negotiate this instruction because it would mean disobeying God. Because of this, the Lord honored David’s sacrifice.

Obedience is doing anything (and everything) God commands regardless of the cost or consequences. Have you counted the cost of completely obeying God? Are you ready to make any sacrifice that he asks, go anywhere he tells you to go, or do anything he asks you to do? As you dwell on this story today, pray for boldness in your walk with Christ! Commit to doing anything he asks of you, knowing that his plan is always best.

“No, but I will buy them for the full price. I will not take for the Lord what is yours, nor offer burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” 1 Chronicles 21:23 (ESV)

Compiled by Christine Thompson & Meredith Hobbs
Taken from the Sermon Series “7 Steps to One Thousand Times More”
By Pastor Timothy Coats
Family First Church - Spring Hill, Florida