Obeying God by Letting Him be God
Last week we discussed how God wants our obedience, not our help. So let’s dive deeper into obedience with a look at obeying God through letting Him be God; letting God do His job as God.
What if we let God be God in the world and in our lives?
Because I’ve discovered something significant about the Christian life. Following Jesus with full surrender and abandon, fulfilling my calling, ministry, and faithfully living as a believer, is not even about me.
It’s about the One who said, “Follow Me.”
And it’s about loving and obeying my heavenly Father with all my heart, soul, and mind.
So, a thought would not let go of me:
What if I let God be God?
How would my life change if I simply let God do His job as God? And what if I let the Almighty reign over my decisions, circumstances, dreams, and life?
Most importantly, isn’t He the only One who perfectly fills the role as God? No other person or god meets the requirements like the Lord. He’s the most qualified and the most trustworthy.
Therefore, I’m noting 3 ways we let God be G.O.D.
G – Give God the Reins and Complete Reign: Obeying God
“God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne.” Psalm 47:8*
Often, we take the reins in particular areas of our lives. And it leads to less-than-best outcomes—even turmoil. Instead, obeying God means we allow the Lord to take the reins, hold the reins, and keep the reins in everything.
This supercharges His Lordship over us as we surrender total control to Him.
When we give up the reins, God reigns supreme. The Lord takes His rightful place in our hearts and lives.
When we give up the reins, God reigns supreme. The Lord takes His rightful place in our hearts and lives. Click To TweetO – Obey the Lord and His Holy Word
“He replied, ‘Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.’” Luke 11:28 (NIV)
Obeying God’s Word shows we not only believe what God says, but that we also believe in the power of His Word.
Obeying God and His Word expands our borders of an abundant life and broadens our scope of influence for God’s kingdom.
Like we looked at last week, we often devise plans and ask God to do it our way by offering Him help in our prayers.
But He always has our greatest interest and well-being at heart. His way is best.
Still further, while I understand the concept of self-help as a popular trend in publishing and business, it doesn’t apply to our lives in Christ.
Friends, we don’t need self-help when it comes to the Christian journey. We can’t help ourselves.
Lay down the lie of self-help.
We need God-help, Jesus-help, and help from the Holy Spirit.
Lay down the lie of self-help. We need God-help, Jesus-help, and help from the Holy Spirit. Click To TweetD – Desire God and His Dreams Above all Else: Obeying God
“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4
The requirement to receive our heart’s desires is to delight in the Lord.
In addition, a closer look at the entire chapter gives more understanding: Trust in the Lord (verse 3); Commit your way to the Lord (verse 5); The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way (verse 23); Wait for the Lord and keep his way (verse 34).
When we pursue unhindered, unabated, and unadulterated desire and passion for the one true God above anything else in this world, powerful things take place.
- Idols fall from their pedestals in our heart.
- The gap narrows between the desires of our heart and God’s desires.
- We dream big with God. He’s the biggest dreamer of all. Dream with God, you and Him dream best together.
Prayer
Lord, forgive me for making plans without considering Your plan and failing to obey Your Word. I repent of the many times I deny Your Lordship by placing myself, other people or things above You. I’m sorry for dreaming on my own. The best dreams are when we dream together. Help me give up the reins and give You reign in my heart and life. Help me let You be God in my life. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
Lord, forgive me for making plans without considering Your plan and failing to obey Your Word. I repent of the many times I deny Your Lordship by placing myself, other people or things above You. Click To Tweet
Which of the 3 ways in letting God be God resonates most with you?
*Scripture ESV unless noted
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May we all desire to let go and let God, Karen. Yes, He always knows what is best for us, and we will discover those good thing when we submit to Him in total obedience.
Blessings!
Martha, it is about submission to Him in total obedience. Psalm 37: Trust in the Lord (verse 3); Commit your way to the Lord (verse 5); The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way (verse 23); Wait for the Lord and keep his way (verse 34).
God is glorified when we respond to His sovereign will. He is our Lord, and He desires to benevolently reign over us. In saying He is our Lord, we commit ourselves to obey Him. This is fitting; God says we are not our own. As I’ve grown older, this becomes more prevalent in my daily walk with God. Trusting HIM always, no matter the issues or trials happening in my life.
Agree, Lisa. It’s about living the crucified life in Christ, laying down our agenda for God’s will, and giving up our kingdom for His Kingdom.
May we always honor God by relying on Him for our needs and direction.
Agree, Nancy! Obeying God’s Word shows we not only believe what God says, but that we also believe in the power of His Word.
It’s so silly to think we puny, limited creatures think we know better than God or that He should do things our way. God forgive us and help us to trust and obey Him.
When you put it that way and when we realize how natural and limited we are in our thinking, it seems like the silliest thing in the world.
Very well said Ms. Karen. Oh, the times I lament where I wasted time and energy chasing my worldly desires than listening for God’s will and following it. I have to sometimes remember that when God created man, He did so with the intent that He would walk with us daily and be an intimate part of our lives; not someone who gets about three hours of our attention per week.
We all lament those times in our lives when we let our own desire to control and go our own way take over. “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4 (ESV)
His way and His timing are always best. I have to remind myself of that fact. 🙂 I am thankful He forgives when I forget.
I am too, Melissa. He always has our greatest interest and well-being at heart. His way is best.
Give God the reins and let Him reign.
I love that!
Thanks, Ava. We take the reins in particular areas of our lives. And it leads to less-than-best outcomes—even turmoil. Instead, obeying God means we allow the Lord to take the reins, hold the reins, and keep the reins in everything.
Obedience has been the theme of my reading and podcast-listening these last few days as I come to grips with my ongoing family caregiver role. I know there’s a reason God led me here today and I’m thankful. Visiting from Inspire Me Mondays.
Hey Suzette, thanks for stopping by to visit and leaving a comment. Obedience is of utmost importance in living the victorious and surrendered Christian life.
I agree. So important to let God been the one in control of our lives. Great wisdom Karen
Yes, Yvonne. After all, God’s the only One who perfectly fills the role as God. No other person or god meets the requirements like the Lord. He’s the most qualified and the most trustworthy.
Amen and Sing Glory Glory Hallelujah and Maranatha!!
Love Always and Shalom, YSIC \o/
Kristi Ann
Thank you, Kristi Ann. God bless!
Trust & Obey!
Yes, Barb! “God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne.” Psalm 47:8 ESV
This seems to rest on the conclusion Jesus wrestled with in Gethsemane. “Not my will, but Thine be done.” As you mentioned, “we often devise plans and ask God to do it our way by offering Him help in our prayers.” And yet, we are small, far from being omnipotent and/or omnipresent. We don’t know all the important matters associated with our prayer requests. We don’t know what the potential outcome of our request will actually be. We don’t know all the variables. But, God does. When we leave the details to him, he always works it out in ways far above and beyond anything we could ever think or imagine.
Great point, Melinda, it is something Jesus wrestled with in Gethsemane. And I enjoyed your note on how God knows all the variables and we don’t. I heard someone say once that God has the helicopter view. He sees what was before and now and tomorrow.
Lord, forgive us for making plans without considering Your plan and failing to obey Your Word. We repent of the many times we deny Your Lordship by placing ourselves, other people or things above You.
I am usually amazed by how God works when I stand back and let God be God. His ways are the best. Thanks for the encouragement Karen
When we give up the reins, God reigns supreme. The Lord takes His rightful place in our hearts and lives.
My devotional this morning asked the question, “Will I give up?” meaning let go of my independence and control. You’ve given me even more to think on for which I am grateful. Blessings!
I love that, Joanne. Giving up our independence and control is at the heart of letting God be God in our lives! God bless!
Love this. Surrender is such a liberating thing! I love your point about “Following Jesus with full surrender and abandon, fulfilling my calling, ministry, and faithfully living as a believer, is not even about me” but about GOD.
That full surrender and complete abandon never comes easy, Jessica. Yet, that’s the calling to follow Jesus fully.