"The Recompense of Obedience"

“The Recompense of Obedience”

 

“If my people would only listen to me, if Israel would only follow my ways, how quickly I would subdue their enemies and turn my hand and against their foes!”          Psalms 81:13-14

 

We are living in uncertain and volatile times.  We see, nearly every day, violence playing out in some place in this old, corrupt, sinful world.  And I venture to say, that it isn’t going to get any better.  We face threats from terrorists, all over this world, from Europe to the United States.  I believe that we are, as God’s creation, reaping what has been sown. 

 

The Psalmist, here, is saying what they believe to be from God’s heart, a plea for OBEDIENCE, from God’s own people to Him.   God is saying:  “if my people would only listen to me,” So many times we shut out what we don’t want to hear, from God, because it’s NOT what we want or expect.  So we tune Him out, and do what we deem is best.  We then become DISOBEDIENT, and reap what we sow. 

 

He goes on to say:  “If Israel would only follow my ways,” Well, Israel doesn’t have such a good record of following God’s ways either.  Throughout their history, they have been OBEDIENT and then they slip into DISOBEDIENCE, and have reaped what was sown.  And so it is with most of the civilized world.  We ALL need to turn from our wicked ways, and start LISTENING to God!

 

If we would do that, He tells us that He would QUICKLY subdue our enemies and turn His hand against our foes!  That is the RECOMPENSE of OBEDIENCE.  God would come to our defense, if we would but be OBEDIENT to Him and FOLLOW His ways.  What a DIFFERENT world this would be.  But I fear, that will not happen, because wickedness, corruptness, and greediness has woven itself deep into the fabric of life and has so ingrained itself in our very being that there will always be DISOBEDIENCE on the part of mankind towards God.  Therefore we will reap what is sown. 

 

However, for those who do LISTEN, and FOLLOW His ways, in other words, are OBEDIENT to Him, they will reap the RECOMPENSE OF OBEDIENCE; SALVATION and the HOPE of Heaven.  But to those who are DISOBEDIENT and do NOT LISTEN and FOLLOW His ways, they will reap the RECOMPENSE OF DISOBEDIENCE; CONDEMNATION and the destination to Hell.  Which recompense will you receive?  

You can receive the RECOMPENSE OF OBEDIENCE by:  CONFESSING your sins to God, and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God, then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and start LISTENING and FOLLOWING Him.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!