Trained for God's holy best

Selah, my little grand-daughter, is at that age when independence starts. She wants to do things by herself. She has learned how to say, “No.”  She knows when she is saying something that her Dad has told her not to say. Commendably, her parents are working on discipline. At age three, what she does is often cute and not very ‘bad,’ but she will be a teenager in a few years. At this time, it would be easier to just ignore her choices to disobey and laugh at her cuteness. After all, who enjoys a round of tears or making a little girl take a time-out?   I loved seeing their loving discipline which is not harsh but aimed at bending her will without crushing her spirit.

Selah caused me reflect on my relationship with my Heavenly Father. When God presents me with His will, do I question, delay, or resist?  Or, does He find a ready obedience in me because I know and trust His wisdom?  Paul urges us to “continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.(Philippians 2:12-15, NIV)

The transformation of the Spirit brings about a deep desire to do what God wants us to do. Yet, the internal fight rages on, some days more intensely than others. God says, "Love that person!" We want to comply, but some part of our old nature says, "I don't want to!" God says, "Trust me with that situation and let Me work it out for you." A part of us believes that and wants to hand it over to Him, but another part of us says, "NO! I'll work it out my way! I know what I want."

Do you realize, child of God, that the joy of the Lord, the fellowship of the Spirit is found in ready willing obedience?   Beyond the blessings of God, there is another complication in willfulness. While we are griping about God's will, we are more susceptible to other temptations.  The stories of the Israelite journey from Egypt to the Promised Land is a grand illustration of the Christian journey from sin to salvation. When did Israel fall into sin? When they started to complain about some situation. The longer they complained, the more deceived they became. Eventually, God would declare it was enough, lay His hand of correction on them, and bring them back into compliance with His will. But, the correction was always costly and painful!

When we quickly comply with God's will – we are pure, sparkling examples of godliness! When we cooperate with the Spirit's work in us, He produces a stellar quality of character that others admire because our lives stand in such contrast to the world. Just as an obedient son is a credit to his parents, so if we, as God's children, are obedient, we become a credit to Him as our Father.

Are you resisting the Lord’s will today?
Is there some part of God's plan for your life that you will not accept with humility?
Don't make Him lay His hand on you. Instead, comply and with joy.

Here's a word from the Word -- "While we were children, our parents did what seemed best to them. But God is doing what is best for us, training us to live God’s holy best. At the time, discipline isn’t much fun. It always feels like it’s going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it’s the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God." (Hebrews 12:10-11, The Message)