Because You Said So!

Every parent is delighted when their child obeys voluntarily. There is that moment of realization that Mom and Dad are not just ‘being mean’ when they establish rules. Some kids seems to ‘get it’ sooner than others. Then, too, we know willing compliance is a temporary thing, to be enjoyed when it appears, as the independent human nature will quickly reassert itself! 

One of the more gratifying moments in my life was having my adult children acknowledge that they now understand the discipline of our home.  In maturity, they came to the realization that I was not just on an authority trip. I was helping them learn self-discipline that would help to be responsible adults capable of discerning, able to say no to distractions so they could choose the best.

Luke tells us that Jesus was teaching at Galilee’s lake one day when crowds began to close in. He saw Simon Peter’s boat there so He asked if he might use it as a pulpit, pushing out a little from the shoreline.  After He concluded, he turned to Simon Peter who was washing his fishing nets and said, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.” (Luke 5:4, NLT)  The men had been fishing all night without single catch! The last thing they wanted to do was go back out. What was the logic behind this request? But, there is a lesson in Simon’s response that day. “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” (Luke 5:5, NIV) His willing obedience produced a miraculous catch, a net-breaking number of fish! And, it became the moment when Simon glimpsed his new calling and became a disciple.

Do you willingly obey your Father in Heaven?

Some of us are headstrong children, obstinate in the face of His commands. We do not choose to do what He commands because we have not grasped that He is good, that His word brings us life.  We reason that making our own choice is better. In the short-term, we may be right! The Bible uses this revealing phrase about disobedience: there is “pleasure in sin for a season.”  (Hebrews 11.25)  The best life is found in obedience born of the mature acknowledge of God’s wisdom as we say like Simon Peter: “because You say so.”  Our Father spares us many sorrows when we walk with Him obediently.

Here’s a word from the Word. Pray for faith and maturity to receive it and to live it. It is a "word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, … Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?"  … Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." (Hebrews 12:5,7,10-11, NIV)

The richest blessings are found in surrender to His will. “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep step with the Spirit.”

__________

All to Jesus I surrender

All to Him I freely give

I will ever love and trust Him

In His presence daily live

All to Jesus I surrender

Humbly at His feet I bow

Worldly pleasures all forsaken

Take me Jesus take me now

All to Jesus I surrender

Lord I give myself to Thee

Fill me with Thy love and power

Let Thy blessing fall on me

I surrender all

I surrender all

All to Thee my blessed Savior

I surrender all

I Surrender All

© Public Domain

Judson Wheeler Van DeVenter | Winfield Scott Weeden